Luke Campbell tonight sits on the verge of superstar status
after he made it two Olympic golds for Team GB's boxing team.
The 24-year-old southpaw from Hull put in the performance of a
lifetime to edge a compelling bantamweight final against Ireland's
John Joe Nevin.
Campbell, a product of St Paul's Amateur Boxing Club in his home
city, boxed smartly to edge the opening round 5-3.
And his jab followed by a straight right cross were working well
for him again early in the second, but Nevin soon found a rhythm
and nabbed the session 5-4.
It was all on the line going into the final round. Campbell,
however, was the one who got his punches off best and even scored a
knockdown on way to a 14-11 victory.
It was always going to be a close affair. The boxers had met
twice previously and had won one fight apiece. Nevin scored a
comprehensive 13-2 margin at the EU championships in 2009, while
Campbell gained revenue when he defeated the Irishman on a
countback at last year's World Championships in Azerbaijan.
"It's a day I've dreamed of for a long, long time," Campbell
said afterwards.
"I'm lost for words. It means everything. My family, my city,
everyone has been so supportive.
"A lot of my family and friends have seen how disciplined I've
been and they are just so proud of me. I'm happy I could make them
proud of me."
His victory adds to the gold medal won by fellow Yorkshire boxer
Nicola Adams on Thursday afternoon.
Super-heavyweight Anthony Joshua and Welsh welterweight wizard
Fred Evans get the opportunity to increase the gold rush tomorrow
afternoon.
Overall, Team GB has won five medals in boxing, with Anthony
Ogogo also picking up a bronze on Friday.
12/08/2012 00:38:07