Two-time world title challenger Luke Campbell represents a clear danger to Californian dynamo Ryan Garcia, in the view of the American’s promoters Golden Boy.
The WBC ordered a fascinating crossroads clash between Olympic 2012 gold medallist Campbell and Instagram star Garcia for its interim title at lightweight with negotiations currently underway.
Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) was unfortunate not to pip Jorge Linares on the cards in WBA title bid in Los Angeles in September 2017 and proved his calibre by taking the brilliant Vasiliy Lomachenko 12 rounds last August. Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) is coming off a brace of eye-catching, one-round blowouts against Romero Duno and Francisco Fonseca.
Golden Boy Promotions’ President Eric Gomez is aware of the threat that the Hull man poses, but says that hot prospect Garcia is embracing that challenge.
“[Last Wednesday] negotiations were ordered to begin,” Gomez told Sky Sports. “We are very excited, this is the type of fight that Ryan wants. This is a real fight.
“Campbell is a top fighter, he really is. He came close to beating Jorge Linares – the only reason he lost is because of a knockdown early in their fight. He is a legitimate threat, a very good fighter, an Olympic gold medallist.
“This will test Ryan. If he beats Campbell then he will get a lot of credit. But it is very dangerous for Ryan. These are the type of fights that he needs in his career.”
The winner of Campbell-Garcia will earn the right to face WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney. Lomachenko is the sanctioning body’s ‘franchise champion’ in the most confusing of title pictures