The WBC has ordered London 2012 Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell to face rising American star Ryan Garcia for the organisation’s ‘Interim’ lightweight title.
Campbell, 32, was due to meet Javier Fortuna, who instead opted to face three-weight world champion Jorge Linares on August 28 for the WBC’s ‘Diamond’ belt. The unbeaten Garcia is the next highest-ranked contender.
“With Fortuna pulling out of the Luke Campbell fight, we have just been notified that the WBC has ordered Campbell-Garcia,” Campbell’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on Twitter. “Great fight!”
‘The Flash’ Garcia, never short of confidence, appeared keen to prove his mettle against southpaw Campbell and claimed that he would “shock the world”.
“I’m finally getting to fight a southpaw – my favourite fighters to fight!” said Garcia. “Bring it on, Luke Campbell. I will get my respect, then shock the world!”
The status of the WBC’s lightweight division is currently the most confusing in world boxing with a Franchise Champion (Vasiliy Lomachenko), Full Champion (Devin Haney) plus Diamond and Interim title-holders to be decided.
The winner of Campbell-Garcia will, in theory, fight Haney for the full WBC title.