Luke Campbell Retires

[maverick23]

Just announced on the BBC that he’s retired.

A very good pro - just short of elite. Hope he enjoys his retirement.

[margaret thatcher]

the 2012 pat mccormack

his world title shots sure didnt come against the easiest batch did they

[NoScoutingReports]

Well done Luke, good career. Real tough fights at the highest level stood in the way of a world title but a solid pro run nonetheless.

[Bleak]

Had a really good career, always seemed the sensible type too hence why he has chosen not to go on to long .

[milpool]

I'm sorry to see him retire but it doesn't surprise me. Him and Tommy Coyle brought boxing back to Hull and I had some great nights at the Hull Arena and Craven Park watching them both, culminating in the Rumble on the Humber on 2015.
It would have been fantastic if we could have brought Lomachenko to Hull but with the fight taking place at the O2, it didn't particularly get the attention it deserved amongst the locals.
He'll always be our Golden Boy though and I wish him all the best, he's a top lad Luke.

[dookus]

Well done Luke, good career. Real tough fights at the highest level stood in the way of a world title but a solid pro run nonetheless.

Absolutely this. Wishing him all the best in retirement.

[stujones]

With the depth of young talent at Lightweight now (if off course Garcia returns) then it is a sensible decision. He isn't getting younger and his strengths were his speed - which will go early.

Very good boxer with super fast hands - just a shame he never fought the best in Britain to see his level - he "looked" better than them based on his world title fights but never showed it.

Crolla and Walsh especially were two fights that should have happened.

Looked great vs Coyle - again with his age turning pro and fighting style he should have been moved a lot quicker - which I know I've been saying this about a lot of fighters. He was HUGE after the Olympics and it feels a bit like a missed opportunity - he had cross over appeal. Well spoken, baby faced looks, exciting style and had a big appeal to a lot of people.

[garethhop]

For whatever reasons, including his personal sadness, he moved too slow post 2012.

Got some big fights, but lost them all - the Linares loss will be the only 'what if' along with the slow follow-up of his Garcia knock down. Hopefully he was paid well.

His amateur career will outshadow comfortably his professional achievements.

The world level talent pool of British boxers shrinks again.

[maverick23]

For whatever reasons, including his personal sadness, he moved too slow post 2012.

Got some big fights, but lost them all - the Linares loss will be the only 'what if' along with the slow follow-up of his Garcia knock down. Hopefully he was paid well.

His amateur career will outshadow comfortably his professional achievements.

The world level talent pool of British boxers shrinks again.

I think he was matched reasonably well post Olympics but it slowed things right down when he lost against a Mendy no one knew really or tipped.

A loss like that put him back 18 months really as a good win against Mendy would have put him around the top 5 of the governing bodies and in-line for an eliminator whilst he went back to fighting fairly good Brits.

Agree though he never seemed to have a massive profile. I think part of the issue is that we had several boxers winning medals (including a first women’s gold medalist and the super heavy champ) and a shed load of gold medalists from other sports. If he’d got a gold in 2004 or even 2008 I think he would have had a lot more mainstream exposure.

I met him a couple of times at shows and always found him to be a really nice, friendly bloke. Tommy Coyle was the same too and both are a credit to Hull.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He should have had a retirement fight in the UK. Somewhere near Hull or Manchester, as it’s only couple hour drive.

[high tower 1]

Definitely an old school career. Hopefully was well paid?

[garethhop]

For whatever reasons, including his personal sadness, he moved too slow post 2012.

Got some big fights, but lost them all - the Linares loss will be the only 'what if' along with the slow follow-up of his Garcia knock down. Hopefully he was paid well.

His amateur career will outshadow comfortably his professional achievements.

The world level talent pool of British boxers shrinks again.

I think he was matched reasonably well post Olympics but it slowed things right down when he lost against a Mendy no one knew really or tipped.

A loss like that put him back 18 months really as a good win against Mendy would have put him around the top 5 of the governing bodies and in-line for an eliminator whilst he went back to fighting fairly good Brits.

Agree though he never seemed to have a massive profile. I think part of the issue is that we had several boxers winning medals (including a first women’s gold medalist and the super heavy champ) and a shed load of gold medalists from other sports. If he’d got a gold in 2004 or even 2008 I think he would have had a lot more mainstream exposure.

I met him a couple of times at shows and always found him to be a really nice, friendly bloke. Tommy Coyle was the same too and both are a credit to Hull.

After cleaning Brizuela out his next fight should have been against a Top 10 - he was at his peak then. But sadly followed the tedious positioning for an alphabet title route rather than going straight up against a top guy.

[stujones]

For whatever reasons, including his personal sadness, he moved too slow post 2012.

Got some big fights, but lost them all - the Linares loss will be the only 'what if' along with the slow follow-up of his Garcia knock down. Hopefully he was paid well.

His amateur career will outshadow comfortably his professional achievements.

The world level talent pool of British boxers shrinks again.

I think he was matched reasonably well post Olympics but it slowed things right down when he lost against a Mendy no one knew really or tipped.

A loss like that put him back 18 months really as a good win against Mendy would have put him around the top 5 of the governing bodies and in-line for an eliminator whilst he went back to fighting fairly good Brits.

Agree though he never seemed to have a massive profile. I think part of the issue is that we had several boxers winning medals (including a first women’s gold medalist and the super heavy champ) and a shed load of gold medalists from other sports. If he’d got a gold in 2004 or even 2008 I think he would have had a lot more mainstream exposure.

I met him a couple of times at shows and always found him to be a really nice, friendly bloke. Tommy Coyle was the same too and both are a credit to Hull.

I disagree - he was a big star post the Olympics - even doing dancing on Ice. It was the home games so he was accessible for interviews and the like and he got the Gold.

Hearn said he wouldn't have done the job if he wouldn't make him a superstar and yes Hearn can't be faulted for the Mendy defeat - but he was not getting the acclaim way before the Mendy fight - fighting way down the card. Yes you need to build someone, but you always need to showcase the star also.

[maverick23]

For whatever reasons, including his personal sadness, he moved too slow post 2012.

Got some big fights, but lost them all - the Linares loss will be the only 'what if' along with the slow follow-up of his Garcia knock down. Hopefully he was paid well.

His amateur career will outshadow comfortably his professional achievements.

The world level talent pool of British boxers shrinks again.

I think he was matched reasonably well post Olympics but it slowed things right down when he lost against a Mendy no one knew really or tipped.

A loss like that put him back 18 months really as a good win against Mendy would have put him around the top 5 of the governing bodies and in-line for an eliminator whilst he went back to fighting fairly good Brits.

Agree though he never seemed to have a massive profile. I think part of the issue is that we had several boxers winning medals (including a first women’s gold medalist and the super heavy champ) and a shed load of gold medalists from other sports. If he’d got a gold in 2004 or even 2008 I think he would have had a lot more mainstream exposure.

I met him a couple of times at shows and always found him to be a really nice, friendly bloke. Tommy Coyle was the same too and both are a credit to Hull.

After cleaning Brizuela out his next fight should have been against a Top 10 - he was at his peak then. But sadly followed the tedious positioning for an alphabet title route rather than going straight up against a top guy.

I think they were always going to try and make the Coyle fight. Also given he lost to Mendy (who’s a decent fighter but nothing special) what makes you think he’d have been ready for the top 10 before that? He’d been a pro for 2 1/2 years up to then so whilst he wasn’t being moved fast, it wasn’t slow either.

I also think his peak was later when he was training more with Shane.

[maverick23]

For whatever reasons, including his personal sadness, he moved too slow post 2012.

Got some big fights, but lost them all - the Linares loss will be the only 'what if' along with the slow follow-up of his Garcia knock down. Hopefully he was paid well.

His amateur career will outshadow comfortably his professional achievements.

The world level talent pool of British boxers shrinks again.

I think he was matched reasonably well post Olympics but it slowed things right down when he lost against a Mendy no one knew really or tipped.

A loss like that put him back 18 months really as a good win against Mendy would have put him around the top 5 of the governing bodies and in-line for an eliminator whilst he went back to fighting fairly good Brits.

Agree though he never seemed to have a massive profile. I think part of the issue is that we had several boxers winning medals (including a first women’s gold medalist and the super heavy champ) and a shed load of gold medalists from other sports. If he’d got a gold in 2004 or even 2008 I think he would have had a lot more mainstream exposure.

I met him a couple of times at shows and always found him to be a really nice, friendly bloke. Tommy Coyle was the same too and both are a credit to Hull.

I disagree - he was a big star post the Olympics - even doing dancing on Ice. It was the home games so he was accessible for interviews and the like and he got the Gold.

Hearn said he wouldn't have done the job if he wouldn't make him a superstar and yes Hearn can't be faulted for the Mendy defeat - but he was not getting the acclaim way before the Mendy fight - fighting way down the card. Yes you need to build someone, but you always need to showcase the star also.

Yeah - he had a good profile and he was pushed hard in Hull with several of his fights there at the arena and at the Rugby stadium.

He got the acclaim for his technical boxing but it’s difficult to be a star in boxing in the U.K. without being a concussive puncher or having an entertaining style, or not being a big talker.

I always enjoyed watching Luke’s fights as he was a lovely technical boxer but he never really had the style to attract the casuals and he was too nice a guy to ever be throwing tables or talking trash.

He still sold fairly well in Hull, fought in some big shows and headlined a PpV at a sold out (I think) O2 against Lomachenko so he didn’t do too badly from a promotional point of view.

[garethhop]

I think he was matched reasonably well post Olympics but it slowed things right down when he lost against a Mendy no one knew really or tipped.

A loss like that put him back 18 months really as a good win against Mendy would have put him around the top 5 of the governing bodies and in-line for an eliminator whilst he went back to fighting fairly good Brits.

Agree though he never seemed to have a massive profile. I think part of the issue is that we had several boxers winning medals (including a first women’s gold medalist and the super heavy champ) and a shed load of gold medalists from other sports. If he’d got a gold in 2004 or even 2008 I think he would have had a lot more mainstream exposure.

I met him a couple of times at shows and always found him to be a really nice, friendly bloke. Tommy Coyle was the same too and both are a credit to Hull.

After cleaning Brizuela out his next fight should have been against a Top 10 - he was at his peak then. But sadly followed the tedious positioning for an alphabet title route rather than going straight up against a top guy.

I think they were always going to try and make the Coyle fight. Also given he lost to Mendy (who’s a decent fighter but nothing special) what makes you think he’d have been ready for the top 10 before that? He’d been a pro for 2 1/2 years up to then so whilst he wasn’t being moved fast, it wasn’t slow either.

I also think his peak was later when he was training more with Shane.

The Mendy fight was an aberration. He probably shouldnt have been in the ring that night. Irrelevant but costly.

Physically, absolutely no doubt in my mind that 2014-15 was when he looked best. Had he had the right team around him moving him quickly into fights with Crolla, Linares, Mitchell even Flanagan, he would have been an absolute star.

Lots of whats ifs. But that's the fun stuff eh?

[jameswilson]

Good decision. As people say his title fights didn’t come against joke artists and I think I’m right saying they were all away from home.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Good decision. As people say his title fights didn’t come against joke artists and I think I’m right saying they were all away from home.

He fought Loma in London.

[maverick23]

After cleaning Brizuela out his next fight should have been against a Top 10 - he was at his peak then. But sadly followed the tedious positioning for an alphabet title route rather than going straight up against a top guy.

I think they were always going to try and make the Coyle fight. Also given he lost to Mendy (who’s a decent fighter but nothing special) what makes you think he’d have been ready for the top 10 before that? He’d been a pro for 2 1/2 years up to then so whilst he wasn’t being moved fast, it wasn’t slow either.

I also think his peak was later when he was training more with Shane.

The Mendy fight was an aberration. He probably shouldnt have been in the ring that night. Irrelevant but costly.

Physically, absolutely no doubt in my mind that 2014-15 was when he looked best. Had he had the right team around him moving him quickly into fights with Crolla, Linares, Mitchell even Flanagan, he would have been an absolute star.

Lots of whats ifs. But that's the fun stuff eh?

Yeah - we’ll never know for certain. Agree though it would have been great to see him against Corolla/Mitchell and co.

I think he was a more aggressive fighter when he was undefeated. It’s probably the confidence of thinking no one has or will beat you. He lost a bit of that post Mendy but technically I think he improved when he started to train with Shane.

As you say, lots of ifs and buts. An amazing amateur and and a very good pro. Arguably one of the best Brits to never win a world title as a pro.

[stujones]

I think they were always going to try and make the Coyle fight. Also given he lost to Mendy (who’s a decent fighter but nothing special) what makes you think he’d have been ready for the top 10 before that? He’d been a pro for 2 1/2 years up to then so whilst he wasn’t being moved fast, it wasn’t slow either.

I also think his peak was later when he was training more with Shane.

The Mendy fight was an aberration. He probably shouldnt have been in the ring that night. Irrelevant but costly.

Physically, absolutely no doubt in my mind that 2014-15 was when he looked best. Had he had the right team around him moving him quickly into fights with Crolla, Linares, Mitchell even Flanagan, he would have been an absolute star.

Lots of whats ifs. But that's the fun stuff eh?

Yeah - we’ll never know for certain. Agree though it would have been great to see him against Corolla/Mitchell and co.

I think he was a more aggressive fighter when he was undefeated. It’s probably the confidence of thinking no one has or will beat you. He lost a bit of that post Mendy but technically I think he improved when he started to train with Shane.

As you say, lots of ifs and buts. An amazing amateur and and a very good pro. Arguably one of the best Brits to never win a world title as a pro.

Talent - maybe - But - he didn't even win or fight for the British title - that says an awful lot about the state of the game. Let alone the European title.

[Onetimeonly]

Very good fighter, but if he was more than that he beats Linares.

[Foggy]

He might have fought quality opposition for the world titles but if we all want to see boxing back to 1 champ per division this is what our lads av to do

[NoScoutingReports]

He might have fought quality opposition for the world titles but if we all want to see boxing back to 1 champ per division this is what our lads av to do

Absolutely, sadly those days are long gone.

[stujones]

I think he was matched reasonably well post Olympics but it slowed things right down when he lost against a Mendy no one knew really or tipped.

A loss like that put him back 18 months really as a good win against Mendy would have put him around the top 5 of the governing bodies and in-line for an eliminator whilst he went back to fighting fairly good Brits.

Agree though he never seemed to have a massive profile. I think part of the issue is that we had several boxers winning medals (including a first women’s gold medalist and the super heavy champ) and a shed load of gold medalists from other sports. If he’d got a gold in 2004 or even 2008 I think he would have had a lot more mainstream exposure.

I met him a couple of times at shows and always found him to be a really nice, friendly bloke. Tommy Coyle was the same too and both are a credit to Hull.

I disagree - he was a big star post the Olympics - even doing dancing on Ice. It was the home games so he was accessible for interviews and the like and he got the Gold.

Hearn said he wouldn't have done the job if he wouldn't make him a superstar and yes Hearn can't be faulted for the Mendy defeat - but he was not getting the acclaim way before the Mendy fight - fighting way down the card. Yes you need to build someone, but you always need to showcase the star also.

Yeah - he had a good profile and he was pushed hard in Hull with several of his fights there at the arena and at the Rugby stadium.

He got the acclaim for his technical boxing but it’s difficult to be a star in boxing in the U.K. without being a concussive puncher or having an entertaining style, or not being a big talker.

I always enjoyed watching Luke’s fights as he was a lovely technical boxer but he never really had the style to attract the casuals and he was too nice a guy to ever be throwing tables or talking trash.

He still sold fairly well in Hull, fought in some big shows and headlined a PpV at a sold out (I think) O2 against Lomachenko so he didn’t do too badly from a promotional point of view.

Yes I agree, but at the same time I also remember the hype Khan got when he turned over. Okay Khan being the sole medalist helped, but Luke had a pretty big fanfare when he won gold. He shouldn't have been way down the undercard 2 years into his pro career. Got to say in hindsight Warren did a brilliant job with Khan

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Good career, but didn't achieve anything like what I thought he would do when he turned over.