Where does this idea that Linares was not on top form come from, i’ve not seen or heard any evidence of this and it totally discredits Campbell’s efforts. If anyone was going to be off form, it would have been Campbell who lost his dad, the person he described as ‘his biggest believer’ two weeks before the fight. Just to add, Lomachenko actually rates Campbell highly.
IMO linares didn't take it seriously he was doing great early on he took his foot off the gas and let' some rounds go it happens all the time to fighters the are a couple of levels above there opponent and thats just my opinion I don't rate Campbell as highly as you and if they rematch match I expect him to stop Him and of course Loma is gonna rate him he won a gold medal
If Campbell were to lose a decision it's not as though he wouldn't be in very good company doing so. He's no spring chicken and someone will eventually catch Lomachenko so it may be worth a punt. The problem comes if Campbell gets put to sleep, violently. Personally I'd swerve it if I were calling the shots, there's a lot of winnable fights for Campbell out there, and he's underrated right now. Seeing him on his back, gasping for air, could cost him a lot of time he doesn't have.
Campbell put in an outstanding performance against a p4p top 10 fighter and as you rightly say in horrendous circumstances. Unfortunately many people write his whole career off after the Mendy fight and dont want to admit the truth, that Campbell is a world class fighter who put in a world class performance v Linares in a very close fight.
A pound for pound world champion doesn’t take his foot off the gas in the 3/4th round, and/or doesn’t take the fight ‘serious’ to risk it on the scorecards. There is absolutely zero evidence to prove that was Linares’s mentality on the night.
Campbell would almost certainly lose to Loma - but so what. He'll learn a huge amount. And if he performs as he did in the latter stages against Linares it won't be completely one-sided. Fight the best given the opportunity I say (unless you're David Price).
Loma is a class act, but at some point he is going to get found out with the weight. He’s not some young Philippine fighter who’s spent spent most of his life literally hungry, like a Acajas or a (young) Pacquiao who had some padding out to do. Stepping up to 135ib, to take on Campbell who could quite easily operate at 140ib is a risky fight.
I do not rate Linares as P4P top ten fighter but it was a great effort, Lomachenko however is an elite P4P and beats Campbell comprehensively. They should really be targeting the vacant WBC or Beltran for a world title and building on the Linares momentum rather than going into a fight they are not going to win. It's a smart warm up fight for Loma before he collects another weight title but a complete waste of time for Campbell and his team.
What makes me laugh 20 is people saying Lomo is best in world he shouldn't fight so and so as he's far better and he shouldn't fight him because he's on a different level. Well what should be do retire because he's too good lol. Agree only weight will beat him.
Ha, I agree mate. He’s certainly not unbeatable as Salido shown. If I was Campbell, i’d be fancying it. He has a natural size advantage and quality skills. He would beat all of Loma’s opponents up to now (he would be too big and strong for all of them), so he represents a step up for Loma.
Agree. I think Campbell will go up a level in his next fight as I think after a few rounds against Linares he realised he was at that level humself and grow in confidence as fight went on. Win lose or draw he should be applauded if he takes the fight just like McDonnell should in his next fight.
A great crossroads fight for both with the winner going on to fight for a world title. This is the correct fight for Luke.