Luke Campbell vs Ryan Garcia – who wins?
After being ordered in July by the World Boxing Council to face each other for their interim lightweight title, American ‘King’ Ryan Garcia (20-0, 17KOs) and Briton Luke Campbell (20-3, 16KOs) will meet on December 5 at a venue yet to be announced.
22-year-old Garcia is the current WBC Silver lightweight champion who last fought in February when he knocked out Francisco Fonseca in the first round.
Olympic gold medallist Campbell is coming off a decision loss in a great fight against WBC franchise champion Vasyl Lomachenkoin Lodon in August of last year.
It's 'Youth vs Experience' in what is set to be a thrilling match-up, so BBN asked their panel of professionals who they believe will win:
Vasily Lomachenko
Three-weight world champion
"Luke knows what he's doing inside the ring. Garcia, his speed, his signature punch is his left hook. He won't let Ryan hit him with his signature punch. He is very fast with that, but only works with the type of opponents he has already fought.
I think Campbell is going to win."
Steve Wood
Promoter, VIP Promotions
"Normally, I go with the younger, hungry, fresh prospect when they challenge the older guy, but on this occasion I fancy Campbell to win.
He has been unlucky in that his two previous world title fights have been against elite champions in Loma and Linares, but the experience gained in these fights should be the difference. Campbell is a quality operator and unless Garcia is the real deal and another elite fighter – seen nothing yet to say he is – then it should be third time lucky for Luke.
He has had a great career but believe if he had been a bit more active and picked a better route then he could have been a superstar in Hull."
Ryan Clark
Co-Founder of buymyfight.com
"Love this fight! Big fan of Luke Campbell's. Luke’s boxing is class, and against Linares, who I consider someone we’ll all look back on as a special boxer of our era, Luke ‘should have/could have’ won that. I know styles make fights and we cant use the analogy of Linares got beat better by Lomachenko than Luke Campbell did, but I do hold Luke Campbell in high regard; somewhere just behind Lomachenko.
Now to Ryan Garcia, I do think he’s talented and yes, his hand speed is superb, but I do feel his opponents have not been anywhere near the calibre of Luke Campbell's, and for that reason I think it’ll be a shock to him when Campbell steps out with a unanimous points win.
I love the fact both of them are taking this fight, and regardless of what happens it’s a brilliant fight for the fans, and no matter who steps out with an ‘L’ on their record will get a tip of my hat to them, that’s for sure."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"For me, Campbell has too much experience as well as skill, the guy is one of the best in Britain and only missed out on world titles to two of the top P4P top boys. Garcia seems like he’s not been tested yet either."
Ben Day
Former Southern Area champion
"I’m picking Luke, I can’t see anything special about Ryan apart from hand speed and good looks."
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
"I'm backing my fellow Brit all the way. I think Luke Campbell's experience being in with the world's best will be what sets him apart from Ryan Garcia. Taking nothing away from the Californian, because he is speedy and skilful and will become a world champion one day, I believe. That KO of Fonseca in his last fight was simply stunning, the punch was almost too quick for the human eye to see! However, Fonseca is no Jorge Linares or Vasiliy Lomachenko, who Campbell has shared the ring and went the distance with during his seven-year pro career.
Nicknamed 'The Flash', Garcia is quick and dangerous and it's possible he could score a knockdown during the contest, but I will be hoping that Campbell can outbox him to win on points."
Anish Parekh
BBN Writer
"This is a great matchup.
I feel sorry for Campbell who is boxing at a time where there is exceptional talent throughout the lightweight division. He has to be commended for his close battle with former Ring champion Linares and most recently against current Ring champion, Lomachenko. There is no shame losing to those two and he can be proud of those performances.
In Garcia he faces a young and ambitious fighter. Don't let his pretty boy looks fool you, he has quick hands and has demonstrated knockout power during his rapid climb up the lightweight rankings.
I just have this hunch that Campbell still has a bit of his physical prime remaining and the experience he gained from his defeats to those elite pugilist will be to his benefit.
The big criticism of Garcia is he leaves his head up after combinations to admire his work and steps back in straight lines. Campbell has the pedigree to make him pay for this flaw.
Campbell by late KO."
Dee the Hat
Boxing trainer
"I think it’s a good fight. It will be interesting to see if Shane McGuigan can help Luke win a big fight. I hope he does, but I think Garcia stops him mid to late rounds."
Everything you need to know about Campbell-Garcia HERE
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