Thomas Stalker: ‘Luke Campbell is too good not to become a world champion’

Thomas Stalker

NEARLY a full four-year Olympic cycle has passed since London 2012. Most members of that GB team now ply their trade in the professional ranks, although it hasnโ€™t been an easy route. Liverpoolโ€™s Thomas Stalker, who narrowly missed out on medalling at the last Olympics, has suffered a defeat to Jack Catterall and has had to endure three consecutive draws in his last three fights.

The results may not have gone his way but Stalker is increasingly satisfied with how heโ€™s performing after moving down a division to lightweight. โ€œIโ€™m happy with the way Iโ€™m boxing. I think Iโ€™ve found my proper weight class. Itโ€™s a lot better for me. Iโ€™m getting in the ring now putting a full stone on and feeling strong. Where I used to fight at 10st, because I didnโ€™t diet much, I used to get in the ring at 10st 5lbs. So Iโ€™m weighing heavier, weighing in at 9st 9lbs, than what I did at 10st and I just feel like Iโ€™m bigger and stronger and better at the weight. There are some good fights for me this year,โ€ he told Boxing News.

He also feels that he merited at least one win from his two contests with Craig Evans and should been awarded the decision against Tommy Carus. โ€œI won the fight, everyone whoโ€™s there thought I won the fight. I was strong early on, last couple of rounds I maybe lost or drew but I thought I won, not as good as the first Evans fight but quite clearly. I havenโ€™t had the rub of the green, have I? Itโ€™ll turn round because Iโ€™ve been in the gym constantly. Even though the last few fights have been draws, I have improved a lot. Itโ€™s down to my trainer Danny Vaughan. Iโ€™ve got a great relationship with him and weโ€™re working hard together,โ€ Thomas said. โ€œItโ€™s boxing, isnโ€™t it? Youโ€™ve just got to keep going. This is my third year [with Frank Warren] and Frankโ€™s been brilliant with me. Everything he said heโ€™s going to do heโ€™s done for me and Iโ€™m glad I went with him.โ€

Heโ€™s happy to fight a final decider with Craig Evans. โ€œIโ€™m up to do the third fight. Weโ€™ve had two good fights. I won the first fight clearly. The second fight was a lot closer, if he had won it by a round, you couldnโ€™t have complained, if I had won it by a round you couldnโ€™t have complained. Itโ€™s a good fight and I think the public would like to see a third fight, which could happen,โ€ Stalker said. โ€œHe is a good fighter.โ€

The Liverpudlian was the captain of the amateur team that featured both Luke Campbell and Anthony Joshua, two Olympic gold medallists. As a professional Joshua has stormed to a world title fight in only 16 bouts, while Campbell, who has for the most part impressed, has still had to endure a first professional defeat. Stalker has complete faith in his former team mates. โ€œHe will become a world champion, Luke Campbell, because heโ€™s too good not to,โ€ Thomas said. โ€œHeโ€™s moved to Miami now, training with Rigondeauxโ€™s [old] trainer. Everything heโ€™s done he’s done for the best for him. Heโ€™ll no doubt become a world champion because heโ€™s too good not to. The thing about boxing now, people do lose. Itโ€™s not the end of the world if you lose. People protect their record too much. If you do lose, at the end of the day as long as you entertain the fans and youโ€™re in a good fight thatโ€™s what itโ€™s about. Having 20 fights and winning them all and fighting nobody, when you get through youโ€™re just going to get beat anyway. I just think itโ€™s about steady progression and being in good fights. Iโ€™m 31 years of age. Iโ€™ll fight anyone. Iโ€™ll fight anyone. Thatโ€™s the mentality Iโ€™ve got.

โ€œBeing on the wrong end of the decision, itโ€™s not nice. But you find out whoโ€™s there for you anyway.โ€

Joshua, more immediately, could be a world champion if he beats IBF titlist Charles Martin on April 9 in London. โ€œHeโ€™s doing brilliant Iโ€™m proud of them. Heโ€™s fighting for the world title,โ€ Thomas continued. โ€œI think he can beat him and heโ€™ll be an Olympic gold medallist and world champion after 16 fights. I think the kid [Charles Martin] is not a Tyson Fury or a Klitschko. The kidโ€™s beatable. Thatโ€™s a massive fightโ€ฆ It would be amazing.โ€

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