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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Martin Domin

Luke Campbell admits he has barely watched Vasyl Lomachenko fight

Luke Campbell will challenge the best boxer on the planet having barely watched him throw a punch.

If he had, he would realise Vasyl Lomachenko has produced sufficient video nasties to release a box set.

After suffering a solitary defeat in 397 amateur fights, the Ukrainian won a world title in just his third professional bout.

Boxing's leading man has ruled three weight divisions and his dismantling of Anthony Crolla earlier this year was worthy of an 18 rating.

As a result, Lomachenko is a prohibitive favourite to successfully defend his lightweight world titles in London on Saturday night.

Luke Campbell takes on Vasyl Lomachenko (PA Wire)
Lomachenko made short work of Anthony Crolla (Getty Images)

But a nonchalant Campbell has put his faith in trainer Shane McGuigan to deliver him his own Hollywood moment.

"I haven't really watched any of his fights, only highlights," he shrugged. "I leave that to Shane and he will tell me what to do.

"I see certain things in him but we're preparing to be the best I can on the night. I'm expecting a bit of a chess game and a bit of a tear-up, a bit of everything, and that's why this fight is so exciting.

"We can bring everything to the table. In the back of my mind I'm just thinking, 'I'm going to hit you hard and I'm going to hurt you'.

"Everybody on the outside thinks it would be an upset but not those in the training camp who know what we have gone through.

"He's obviously ranked No.1 pound-for-pound for a reason. I think he's the very best out there at the minute but that's exactly where I want to be. I want to go out there and fight the best and stamp my authority."

Campbell and Lomachenko, both 31, won gold at the London Olympics in 2012 but the Brit has found the paid ranks tougher to navigate.

Lomachenko has also beaten Jorge Linares (Getty Images)
Lomachenko dismantled Guillermo Rigondeaux (Getty Images)

A shock defeat by Yvan Mendy in 2015 forced him to relocate to Miami and leave wife Lynsey and their young sons Leo and Lincoln in Hull.

But a razor-thin loss to world champion Jorge Mendes two years ago convinced him to return home where he has finally settled.

"I'm going from strength to strength, I'm in a great place," Campbell added. "I'm coming into my best and I feel like over these next couple of years I will be in my zone and beat anyone.

"I have a solid team around me for the first time in my professional career. I'm happy in the gym and happy I can go home to my family every weekend.

"It's a massive fight for everybody and that's what excites me even more, every boxer dreams of being involved in big fights like this.

"I'd have to bring my bucket list out and see what needs ticking off but this would certainly top everything.

"After this it's about sealing a legacy and being known for being one of the best fighters in the world."

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