Vasiliy Lomachenko knocks Luke Campbell down, wins fight by wide decision

Vasiliy Lomachenko inched one belt closer to unifying the lightweight division by winning a unanimous decision over proud Luke Campbell at a sold-out O2 Arena in London, England Saturday night.

All three judges had Lomachenko winning the bout by scores of 119-108 twice, and 118-109.

Maxboxing judged Lomachenko the winner by a 117-110 tally.

With the victory, Lomachenko, who already holds the WBO and WBA titles, added the WBC belt to his collection.

Campbell, the taller fighter by a few inches, was more active in the opening stanza, as Lomachenko studied him. Campbell, a southpaw, like Lomachenko, kept his right out and fired a few shots to the body. Lomachenko feinted and showed of some of his fancy footwork. He was figuring out range. Campbell connected with a long left at the bell to likely win the round.

In round two, Campbell kept his hands busy. His plan was to keep Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) thinking. Lomachenko was having issues timing Campbell. He did land a double jab and left to the body-plus a left to the chin at the bell.

Lomachenko was more active in round three. He was warming up. Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) landed a glancing blow. Lomachenko jabbed and stepped to his right. Campbell fired a looping punch. Lomachenko connected with a wicked combination that snapped Campbell’s head back. Campbell connected with an uppercut that surprised Lomachenko.

Campbell came out more aggressively in round four. Lomachenko bobbed and weaved and fired. He went to the body and head. Lomachenko connected with a right. Campbell scored with another looping punch and body shot. Lomachenko popped Campbell with three jabs and a left to the belly.

Lomachenko used lateral movement to stab Campbell with jabs. Campbell landed a solid left to the jaw. Lomachenko connected with two hooks. Campbell was calm and sticking to his game plan. His left landed again. Lomachenko cracked Campbell with a short hook to the jaw that hurt the challenger. Lomachenko worked over Campbell until the bell rang.

Campbell surprised Lomachenko with more activity in rounds six and seven. Lomachenko ignored him and went right back to the body. Campbell connected with a right that didn’t bother Lomachenko. He followed up with a three-punch combination and stinging jabs. The gutsy Campbell caught Lomachenko with a couple body shots later in the round. Lomachenko bounced and punched. Both fighters hurt each with hooks. Lomachenko connected with another shot to the midsection that bothered Campbell. Campbell withstood the rally and punched back.

In round eight, Lomachenko popped Campbell with a left. Campbell fought back successfully. Lomachenko fired lefts to the body and head. Campbell took them well and went to the body. Lomachencko cracked Campbell with a combination. He walked after the British fighter and let his hands go.

Lomachenko used lateral movement in round nine - jabbing and letting his left go. He snapped off another jab-followed by a hard right. Campbell connected with a couple of glancing blows, but Lomachenko banked the round.

With three rounds to go, Lomachenko appeared to be in the lead. Campbell was hanging tough. Lomachenko was told by his trainer-father to keep boxing and stay patient. Lomachenko listened. He jabbed and countered. Campbell missed with a big left. Lomachenko cracked Campbell with more jabs.

Campbell came out punching in round 11. Lomachenko rolled with the blows but ate some as well. Lomachenko connected with a short left that buzzed Campbell. He followed up the blow with two shots downstairs that hurt Campbell. Seconds later a straight left sent him to the mat. Campbell beat the count and survived the round.

In the 12^th and final round, Lomachenko attacked, but Campbell fired back. He went up and

down as did Lomachenko. Campbell tried to land an uppercut but missed. Lomachenko fought back with shots. Campbell grabbed Lomachenko to keep himself upright. Lomachenko stabbed him with more shots but Campbell hung in to last the distance.

“I’m happy,” said Lomachenko. “I want to thank all the people who supported us.”

“He’s a special fighter,” said Campbell.