Loma vs. Cool Hand Luke: Does Luke Campbell have a chance against Vasyl Lomachenko?

When Luke Campbell lost his first two amateur fights, he was reportedly told he was “useless” and should go home and never return. Campbell didn’t listen. He came back for more, ignoring his trainer’s comments, lost some weight, and kept working. He grew tall and lean, with spunk, and a left jab that took him places.

Campbell won numerous amateur tournaments from 2008-2012, topping them off by capturing Olympic gold at the 2012 games. His old trainer was nowhere to be seen.

The professional ranks beckoned. Campbell was 26. Time was of the essence. His team kept him busy. Four fights a year until, three years later, when his output dropped to three. Campbell lost a fight to Yvan Mendy, but rebounded to knockout Gary Sykes.

He stopped local favorite Derry Matthews in four, but his biggest match up to that point was an encounter with former lightweight titleholder, Darleys Perez on the undercard of the Joshua – Klitschko fight. Campbell was silky smooth. He stopped Perez in nine, earning a shot at then-champion Jorge Linares. In the second round against Linares, he found himself on the seat of his pants, courtesy of a perfect right hand. He didn’t appear hurt. Campbell got up and battled.

The fight was Linares was tight through 10 rounds. Campbell was using his jab effectively, but was eating far too many right hands. He fought back, clocking Linares with shots to the chin. The bout went the limit. Two judges tabbed Linares the winner, by scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while the third judge had it 115-113 for Campbell.

Crestfallen by his defeat, but unbowed, Campbell returned to the ring-winning three fights in succession. Ignored by Linares, Campbell pondered his future. A few months ago, another former amateur, probably the best ever, said he wanted to fight. Campbell signed on the dotted line. They fight this Saturday at the O2 Arena in London, Eng.

Vasyl Lomachenko lost only once in 397 amateur matches. He won not one, but two gold medals. In 14 professional fights, he’s picked up world titles in three different weight divisions.

Lomachenko is arguably the best fighter in the world. He won a world title in his third professional fight. He picked up his second championship belt three years ago by scoring a highlight-reel knockout over Roman Martinez.

One of Lomachenko’s most anticipated fights was when he threw hands with dangerous Nicholas “The Ax Man” Walters in 2016. Walters had no answers. His axe was dulled in seven one-sided rounds. He hasn’t fought since.

A year later, Lomachenko toyed with fellow gold medalist, Guillermo Rigondeaux, of Cuba. Rigondeaux had dominated all 17 of his opponents. Lomachenko took over in the opening round. Rigondeaux searched for answers, but eventually decided to exit halfway through the fight. The win over Rigondeaux marked the fourth time in a row a fighter has quit against Lomachenko.

Lomachenko fought Linares in 2018. He has something in common with Campbell. In round six, Lomachenko found himself on the canvas, courtesy of a lighting quick Lianres right. Up quickly, he rebounded to stop Linares with a bodyshot in round 10. After the fight, it was reported that Lomachenko had suffered a torn labrum.

Back in the ring after shoulder surgery, Lomachenko looked sluggish at times, but still knocked down bigger WBO lightweight champion Jose Pedrazo twice-en route to unifying the titles. He looked like his old self last April, dominating overmatched Anthony Crolla. The fight ended brutally in round four.

Campbell knows all about the ring exploits of Lomachenko. He accepts his underdog status without complaint. He knows most expect him to lose, but still his confidence is unwavering.

“They all get beat in the end, don’t they?” Campbell said during an interview with www.skysports.com. “I’m fighting the elite of the elite. I’m confident in the 19 years I’ve put into this sport. I’ve always been disciplined.”

Yes, he has, but so has Lomachenko. Campbell is class, but Lomachenko is gold. Expect Lomachenko to stop Campbell late, or win by decision. No matter though, Campbell has proved the naysayers wrong.