Since winning gold at the Olympic Games in London in 2012, British lightweight Luke Campbell has put together 10 successive victories in the professional ranks to move into a position where he can be progressed up the domestic and world rankings during 2015.
After his impressive fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Brizuela last October, Campbell put himself in line to face Hull rival Tommy Coyle in a huge showdown that is scheduled to take place in the summer.
On Monday, Campbell attended St Paul's Boxing Academy in Hull for the launch of 'Backing Up Boxing', an initiative run by local sports charity 'Join In', and Sports Mole caught up with the 27-year-old to talk about his thoughts on Coyle, his future plans and how people can get involved with the new nationwide campaign.
Your main aim for the next few months is the Tommy Coyle fight, but we understand that you are hoping to fit in one more match. Has a date been arranged yet?
"We aren't too sure yet. We were looking at the end of April, but I need to speak to Eddie Hearn and my coach and see what's happening. I would like to box at the end of April though and then obviously we can move on to the Coyle fight in the summer."
What did you make of Tommy Coyle's performance against Martin Gethin?
"I didn't make much of it. Tommy's performance wasn't the best, he had a bit of an off night. I don't think that Gethin offered him much either. Boxing is about levels, and I believe that I am a level above."
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When the fight does get made, will it definitely be at the KC Stadium or is Craven Park still a possibility?
"Both the KC Stadium and Craven Park are possibilities but everyone wants it at the KC Stadium. Nothing against Craven Park but the KC Stadium is the pride of Hull. It's a magnificent stadium and that's where we want it to happen."
If everything goes to plan, has a schedule been mapped out for the next 12 months or will you wait until after the Coyle fight?
"I just take one fight at a time. I leave my team to do all of the planning and preparing in that respect. All I do is train and get in the ring, and whatever plan they have for me, then that's the plan that I am going to achieve. Whether that involves having a title in 12 months time or just moving up the ranks, I'm not sure, but I just want to take one fight at a time and be the best that I can be each time that I get in the ring."
The British lightweight division is stacked with quality fighters. Is there a specific domestic fighter that you'd like to face at some point in the next 12 months?
"I will face anyone that gets in my way. I don't dislike any of the lightweights or want to face any of them any more than anyone else. If they've got something that I want and they are in my way for it, then that means we are going to fight. It's a cracking division, it's booming in this country and it's an exciting time to be in this division. There are some huge fights out there."
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You're at St Paul's Boxing Academy in Hull to launch 'Backing Up Boxing' alongside 'Join In'. Could you tell me a bit about the new initiative and what your role will be going forward?
"I'm working with Join In to raise the awareness for volunteers and how important and valued they are to every club that is involved in sport, especially in boxing.
"I know from experience that volunteers in the gym make everything run. It's not just the coaches, it's the other guys that help out like the secretaries and the people who get you to the boxing shows. There's more to it than just coaches. They couldn't do it all on their own and it's the help of the volunteers that help things happen."
Are there any volunteers who have helped your career going forward?
"There's Mike Bromby, who has been my coach since I was an amateur and who has been my coach for the past 13 years. He's never been paid for it and he has put in a hell of a lot of time in me as a young lad and growing up, and making sure that I keep on the right path."
What kind of positions could any volunteers fill?
"Volunteers could help out with anything. They could help out with the social media, be a secretary, help fund raise, maybe help out with the admin and tasks like that. Basically just help out where they can, even if it's helping out when someone is late and being able to let all of the kids into the gym.
"Also, I think the thing with being a volunteer is that when you get involved with something like this, you're starting a journey. You go along on a journey and meet new people, good people as well, and you have a good time along the way."
For more information about getting involved with 'Join in', the nation's charity for local sports volunteering, and 'Backing up Boxing', visit https://www.joininuk.org/join-in-and-england-boxing-are-backing-up-boxing/
Darren Plant
