Luke Campbell performed better than expected against WBO and WBA lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, but it wasn’t enough to win.
Luke Campbell (20-3, 26 KOs) was a 9-1 underdog headed into his lightweight title shot against WBO and WBA champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs). He showed lots of heart and ability, but Lomachenko proved that he’s the best lightweight in the world by out-classing Campbell by unanimous decision on Top Rank’s card on ESPN+.
Campbell tried to use his size advantage in round 1. He cautiously advanced on Lomachenko but threw distracting jabs that weren’t meant to score. Lomachenko circled the ring and waited for Campbell to make his move. Campbell landed a decent left cross which was enough to win a very inactive round.
Round 2 started slow. Lomachenko and Campbell were both patient but Lomachenko began to move forward for the first time. Lomachenko moved his hands more and scored with light shots. You got the sense that Lomachenko wasn’t impressed with Campbell’s power and was more inclined to push the action.
Campbell tried to walk Lomachenko down early in round 3, but all of his punches missed. Lomachenko glided on the outside, but periodically stopped his motion and doubled up his jab. He reversed the action and had Campbell backpedaling.
Then Lomachenko nailed Campbell with a straight left hand that throttled Campbell’s head back. Lomachenko was encouraged, but Campbell took the punch well.
Campbell was active to start the fourth round, but he didn’t land anything heavy. Lomachenko’s jab began to score with regularity. Campbell found Lomachenko’s body with several punches, but Lomachenko returned the favor.
Lomachenko’s jabbed sneaked in to thump Campbell on occasion in round 5. Both men remained cautious, but Lomachenko started to stalk Campbell. Lomachenko doubled a left hand to the body and head. He hurt Campbell with seconds left in the round. Lomachenko caught Campbell with a counter left cross that badly wobbled Campbell’s legs.
Round 6 was quiet. Campbell seemed recovered, and Lomachenko paced himself. Lomachenko saved his energy for the second half of the round. He caught Campbell on the ropes and landed a combination.
Lomachenko looked like the fresher fighter in round 7. He jolted Campbell’s head back with a jab and straight left. Campbell attacked but retreated after Lomachenko retaliated with a combination. They traded power punches, but Lomachenko got the best of the action. His right hook froze Campbell against the ropes, and he let loose with a flurry of punches. It was a bad way to end the round for Campbell.
Lomachenko’s jab was surgical in round 8. He sent Campbell’s head back but didn’t overexert himself. Campbell continued to fight back but got caught with a solid right hook. He wasn’t hurt and showed spirit, but was just a step behind Lomachenko.
Campbell missed most of his punches to start round 9. Lomachenko waited until half the round was over to press Campbell. Lomachenko’s jab continued to score, but both men took a break from the action.
Lomachenko tried to trap Campbell on the ropes in round 10, but Campbell tied him up and got out of danger. Lomachenko won the round, but he looked content to win the fight on the cards. He never turned out the jets to try and blast Campbell out of there even though he had several opportunities.
Campbell’s hands were active in round 11, but they weren’t accurate. However, Lomachenko did make him pay for missing. With 1:19 remaining in the round, Lomachenko targeted Campbell’s body with hooks and dropped him.
Campbell got to his feet but looked exhausted. Lomachenko continued to hook to the body, but Campbell survived a brutal round.
Lomachenko jumped on Campbell to begin round 12. He connected with two jabs, but Campbell fought back with courage and heart. Lomachenko tagged Campbell with hooks to the head in the final minute but was thrown to the ground by Campbell out of desperation. His roughhouse tactics worked, and he boxed to the closing bell.
Lomachenko won the bout by unanimous decision with two scores of 119-108 and one of 118-109. Campbell’s performance was admirable, but Lomachenko is the best lightweight in the world. Hopefully, the winner of Richard Commey vs. Teofimo Lopez is next on tap for Lomachenko. The winner of that contest would fully unify the lightweight division.