Skip to content

Luke Campbell stops Daniel Brizuela in five rounds in Hull to set up summer showdown

Image: Luke Campbell: Stops dangerous Daniel Brizuela in five

Luke Campbell stopped the dangerous Daniel Brizuela inside five rounds to continue his impressive start to life as a professional at the Hull Ice Arena.

Campbell's ninth pro outing was arguably his best as he dominated from the opening bell and eventually forced referee Inigo Barrabas to step in after landing a series of hard blows in the fifth.

Brizuela had taken Campbell's friend and lightweight rival just about all the way back in February in one of the fights of the year but he was never given time to settle by the London 2012 Olympic champion.

Campbell landed a nasty shot to Brizuela's head inside the first couple of seconds, and although he didn't push for a very early victory, he controlled the fight, making full use of a big height and reach advantage.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with the crowd and the support I have got here tonight. Hopefully I can come back and put on another great performance in Hull.
Luke Campbell

The Argentinian briefly threatened in the second, managing to beat Campbell's defence and land a couple of decent shots.

But the home hero stepped up the pace in the third and had Brizuela in deep trouble towards the end of the round, backing him up against the ropes - the bell saving Brizuela from a possible count in the corner.

Brizuela was hurt again in the fourth as Campbell's class continued to show, the height advantage proving a real problem for the 28-year-old who was suffering his third defeat in four fights.

Latest Boxing Stories

Campbell's quick hands continued to trouble Brizuela early in the fifth and he eventually forced the Argentinian to the canvas, albeit only for a standing count and a few seconds where he could grab his breath.

But the count merely delayed the inevitable as Campbell came forward again and pressed Brizuela back on to the ropes, a second series of huge punches forcing the referee to come in and stop the bout.

"He's a very tough kid," Campbell told Sky Sports.

"He was last here with Tommy Coyle and that was fight of the year. I knew what I was up against.

"He was coming to win, has a very good record and is very experienced. For me to go in there and do that I am really happy with myself.

"I'm a bit overwhelmed with the crowd and the support I have got here tonight. Hopefully I can come back and put on another great performance in Hull."

Around Sky