Saturday night in Hull sees perhaps the highest profile fight of London 2012 Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell’s fledgling professional career.
Arguably the most talented young fighter in the country, “Cool Hand” (11-0, 9ko) goes into battle against fellow Hull native and former friend Tommy Coyle (21-2, 10ko) in an official WBC lightweight eliminator that most can only see going emphatically the way of the former amateur standout.
Yet speaking to Talksport, Coyle is confident of springing the upset and has promised to knock Campbell out, insisting that his added experience will be too much for the 27 year old southpaw.
“Boom Boom”, who catapulted his name into the limelight with a 2nd round knockout of veteran Aussie brawler Michael Katsidis 9 months ago, is confident he can do the same to his former friend on Saturday;
“I think I’ll knock Luke Campbell out,” the Jamie Moore trained man said.
“We’ve got a very good game plan and I’m confident we can execute it – and people will be saying I was too much for Luke Campbell at this stage of his career.”
“I’ve come through things in the ring he has hasn’t, and I’m going to be asking him questions he’s never been asked before.
“I know I have to be at my best,” he added. “If I’m not at my best I won’t beat Luke Campbell. It’s a huge fight for me. I’m a huge underdog but I feel I’m too much for him, too early.
“I think he will go on to be a world champion but I think this will be a minor blip in (what will be) a wonderful career.”
For his own part, Campbell, who is taking his greatest on-paper test on Saturday night, is more than ready for the step-up and expects to come through in some style, prepared for whatever Coyle will bring.
“Tommy says he loves a war but in his last few fights he’s boxed on the back foot,” he said to Sky Sports.
“If you are doing that, you are not going in for a war, you are going in to box – but we’ll see on the night. I’ve prepared for anything that he can bring and I am ready. I’ll go in there and do what I do best. I know I can hurt him and we’ll see if he wants a war when I do.
“Once I deal with Tommy in good style then we’ll step up again against the next opponent and I’ll prove myself again.
Seemingly playing down the “bad blood” tag that has been attached to the fight by certain sections of British media, Campbell insisted it’s all just business for him, no hard feelings – yet he issued a pertinent warning.
“I don’t dislike Tommy, he’s an obstacle in the way to reach my goals – that’s it. When all the talking is done and it’s just me and him in the ring, that’s it, not talking, boxing.
“There’s a nasty streak in me, definitely. People can take me however they want to take me, but as soon as the bell goes then I want to hurt the guy in front of me.”
Campbell v Coyle tops Matchroom’s “Rumble on the Humber” card on Saturday night. The fight will be screened live on Sky Sports.
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