Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) successfully defended his WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Lightweight Titles with a split decision victory against the English southpaw “Cool Hand” Luke Campbell (17-2, 14 KOs) at Los Angeles’ “Fabulous” Forum. Linares dropped Campbell in the second round with a hard right hand and engaged in explosive exchanges in each round to win with scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while one judge scored the fight 115-113 for Campbell.
Jorge Linares
Jorge Linares vs Campbell Weigh-In Photos, Video
Jorge Linares 134.2 vs. Luke Campbell 134.8
Romero Duno 134 vs. Juan Sanchez 133.6
Azat Hovhannisyan 122 vs. Sergio Frias 120.6
Abraham Lopez 127.8 vs. Isao Carranza 126.8
Rafael Gramajo 120.8 vs. Pedro Melo 121.2
Dorticos vs. Kudryashov & Parker vs. Fury Highlight Busy Boxing Weekend
The Yunier Dorticos vs. Dmitry Kudryashov & Joseph Parker vs. Hughie Fury standout in a busy boxing weekend that includes cards on ESPN, HBO, YouTube, and a variety of available (legal) streams.
Let’s begin this preview and predictions piece with another installment of the Top Rank on ESPN series. The televised tripleheader opens up with Micheal Conlan and is headlined by Oscar Valdez’s making a mandatory defense of his 126 pound WBO belt. Let’s hope the main event is at least entertaining style-wise and that Conlan puts on show. The best matchup on paper is Gilberto Ramirez (35-0) vs. Jessie Hart (22-0) in the co-feature.
Linares vs. Campbell this Saturday – Quotes & Photos
Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (42-3, 27 KOs), WBA, WBC Diamond, and Ring Magazine World Lightweight Champion, will defend all three of his titles on Sept. 23 when he takes on Luke Campbell (17-1, 14 KOs), No. 1 contender and Olympic Gold Medalist in a battle for the ages. Linares will make his triumphant return stateside after three years away to defend his titles against a formidable opponent. The event takes place Saturday, Sep. 23 at the ‘Fabulous’ Forum in Inglewood, California and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Jorge Linares vs Luke Campbell on 9/23 – Ticket Infos
Tickets for the Sept. 23 showdown between the WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine champion Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (42-3, 27 KOs) and the United Kingdom’s Olympic gold medalist and current No. 1 contender Luke Campbell (17-1, 14 KOs) will go on sale this Wednesday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET. The scheduled 12-round fight will take place at the “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles, California and will be televised on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Jorge Linares ordered to defend WBA lightweight title against Luke Campbell
Reigning WBA lightweight ruler Jorge Linares’ next fight has been ordered by the boxing organisation he represents as 135 pound champion; Linares, 42-3(27) must face Britain’s Luke Campbell.
The fight must now be worked out between the two fighters and their respective teams, the deadline being 30 days from yesterday, July 21. Campbell, 17-1(14) became Linares’ mandatory challenger with his impressive stoppage win over Darleys Perez in April, this fight on the massive Joshua-Klitschko card. Southpaw Campbell, a 2012 Olympic gold medal winner, has been beaten just once as a pro, by the tricky Yvan Mendy who decisioned him back in December of 2015. Since then he has reeled off five straight wins.
Mikey Garcia looking at “lots of big options” after he gets past Broner; possible 135 pound unification, winner of Crawford-Indongo
Unbeaten star Mikey Garcia, one of the hottest fighters on the scene today, is not looking past his upcoming July 29 fight with Adrien Broner, but he is looking ahead – to some massive fights.
Jorge Linares wants the big fights; Vasyl Lomachenko and Mikey Garcia next
Boxing is all about levels and, without in any way wishing to disrespect the incredibly brave and courageous (in and out of the ring) Anthony Crolla, Jorge Linares proved last night in his rematch with Crolla that he is a top level fighter of the highest order, a far, far better boxer than Crolla.
The question is, can Linares become a great fighter? It seems a very long time ago now that the 31 year-old WBA lightweight ruler was shocked to defeat by Juan Carlos Salgado and then by Antonio DeMarco and Sergio Thompson. It was 2012 when Linares last tasted defeat and he may well be at his absolute best right now.
Linares easily beats Crolla
Jorge Linares defended his WBA Lightweight World Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Anthony Crolla Saturday evening on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL from Manchester, England. The win sets Linares up for a possible unification fight with WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia, a matchup that would be considered one of the best that can be made in any weight class.
Results: Linares defeats Crolla
Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (42-3, 27 KOs) skillfully defeated former champion Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla (31-6, 15 KOs) to retain his WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine World Lightweight Championship titles in a 12-round rematch battle that went the distance live from Manchester Arena. Showtime International Boxing will replay Linares vs. Crolla II tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO Extreme.
Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig