By Ian S Palmer
Unbeaten prospect Ryan Garcia of Los Angeles will be taking on Luke Campbell of Hull, England this Saturday, Jan. 2nd for the interim WBC Lightweight Title. The 12-round bout from Dallas, Texas can be seen in most nations across the globe live on DAZN with the main event getting underway approximately between 5 and 6pm ET. Garcia last boxed in February when he stopped Francisco Fonseca in just 80 seconds with a sensational knockout. Campbell hasn’t fought since August of 2019 when he battled for the vacant WBC Lightweight Crown as well as the WBA and WBO versions against Vasyl Lomachenko and dropped a unanimous decision.
The 22-year-old Garcia is a perfect 20-0 with 17 big Ko’s for a current knockout ratio of 85 per cent. He’s 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 70-inch reach and possesses tremendous speed and fine boxing skills. He made his pro debut in 2016 and has boxed 60 rounds since. Along the way, he’s captured the vacant NABF Junior Super Featherweight Title as well as the NABF, and WBO NABO Super Featherweight Crowns.
Garcia’s toughest opponent to date was veteran Jayson Velez who went the distance with him in May of 2018 only to lose a 10-round unanimous decision for the vacant NABF and WBO NABO Super Featherweight Crowns. Garcia’s also beaten the likes of Carlos Morales, Jose Lopez, Braulio Rodriguez, Fernando Vargas Parra and Noe Martinez Raygoza. Garcia’s being groomed to be a world champion by promoter Oscar De La Hoya and appears to have all the tools necessary to succeed and was named the 2017 prospect of the year by ESPN.
Garcia enjoyed a fine amateur career by going 215-15. He won a silver medal at the USA Junior National (Under-17) Championships in 2014 when he lost to Devin Haney in the final. Garcia made the quarterfinals at the USA Youth National (Under-19) Championships in 2015 and lost to Haney once again. However, he did beat Vergil Ortiz in his opening bout. He then won gold at the USA Youth National (Under-19) Championships in 2016.
Campbell is now 33 years old and is best known for his excellent efforts against Lomachenko and former WBA Lightweight Champion Jorge Linares in 2017 when he lost a close split decision. That was his second loss as a pro as his first defeat and knockdown came at the hands of Yvan Mendy by way of a 12-round split decision in December, 2015 in a bout for Campbell’s WBC International Lightweight Title. Campbell then beat Mendy by unanimous decision in their 2018 rematch.
The Englishman will climb into the ring with a record of 20-3 with 16 Ko’s to his name and is a slick-boxing southpaw who stands 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 71-inch reach. He gives up an inch in height to Garcia but has a minimal one-inch edge min reach. Although known for his boxing skills, Campbell also possesses considerable power with a current knockout ratio of 69.6 per cent. He turned pro in 2013 and has 142 rounds under his belt. He also enjoyed an excellent amateur career and won a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.
Campbell has more or less handled the pro game just as well as he did the amateurs with two of his three defeats coming by way of split decision. Since turning pro he’s won the WBC International, WBC Silver, and British Commonwealth Lightweight Titles. His notable wins have been over the likes of Mendy, Gary Sykes, Darleys Perez, Tommy Coyle, Derry Mathews and former IBF Super Featherweight Champion Argenis Mendez. Campbell’s style and power make him a fan-friendly boxer but he’s still underrated by many.
Prediction…
Campbell is a solid boxer with skills and power but he’s facing a boxer who’s 11 years younger and arguably owns better skills, speed and power. Campbell performed well against Lomachenko and Linares but will likely need to be even better if he hopes to succeed against Garcia. This is a great test for both boxers and it should be a close, intriguing contest. It may even go the distance but either way I’m expecting Garcia to have his hand held up at the end.
