CAMPBELL CAN BECOME HULL’S FIRST COMMONWEALTH CHAMP

Olympic hero believes Miami sacrifice will pay off against Sykes

Luke Campbell MBE says he will reap the rewards of his move to train in Miami as he bids to become Hull’s first ever Commonwealth champion when he meets Gary Sykes for the vacant Commonwealth Lightweight title at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Campbell teamed up with Cuban trainer Jorge Rubio following his loss to Yvan Mendy at The O2 in London in December, leaving his young family behind to train for months in the States as he looks to bounce back in style in the all-Yorkshire clash with Dewsbury’s Sykes.

The Olympic hero can become the first fighter from Hull to win a Commonwealth belt and the 28 year old says that his Miami move will help him make history.

“Jorge’s brought out a lot more skill, footwork and tactics - everything really,” said Campbell. “We get on well, he’s great with southpaws too.

“I’ve had a great camp and made a lot of changes. I’ve been coming out to Miami to see Jorge for the last year and a half but it has just been weeks here and there.

“This was the first real camp together and I’m really enjoying working with him and at that the same gym where my hero Muhammad Ali trained.

“It’s not like you are going to see a new me on Saturday, but you will see a lot more of what I’m capable of. I’m not even scratching the surface and I’ve got a lot more to come and Jorge is bringing it out of me

“You have to live the life and invest in yourself. Boxing is not a job, it’s a lifestyle, the way you prepare for each fight is vital. I don’t prepare for Joe Bloggs, I prepare like I am going to war.

“I’ve had my ups and downs over the last year but that’s life, you have to take everything that is thrown at you in your stride. There’s no-one more committed to boxing than me, I’m away from my family and sacrificing spending time with them to train in Miami for seven weeks in a new environment and with a new coach, I’m sparring different training partners.

“I’m a family man and I live a simple life. I train, fight and spend time with my kids and my wife, there’s nothing harder than being away from them.”

Campbell’s clash with Sykes is part of a huge night of action in the Steel City as Sheffield favourite Kell Brook defends his IBF World Welterweight title against Canada’s Kevin Bizier.

Sheffield Middleweight Adam Etches is back in action, Sheffield Heavyweight Dave Allen faces American Jason Gavern and Andy Townend meets Craig Poxton for the English Super-Featherweight title.