Vasyl Lomachenko v Luke Campbell: fight preview, predictions and free tips

WBC, WBA & WBO world lightweight titles
Sky Sports Box Office, from 6pm Saturday
Main event approx 10pm

Three world titles are on the line at the O2 Arena in London where Luke Campbell challenges fellow Olympic gold medallist Vasyl Lomachenko, but taking the prized scalp of arguably the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet would be far more valuable to the Hull lightweight than any belt.

Victory over Loma would propel Campbell into boxing superstardom, but it's a mammoth task which is illustrated by dismissive odds of up to 10-1 for the upset, despite fighting in his home country.

Campbell's stellar amateur pedigree would be the envy of most boxers, but it pales in significance next to Lomachenko's. He is one of the most decorated amateur fighters of all time, boasting a record of 396 wins and only one defeat.

And he has wasted no time since turning pro, winning a world title in just his third fight and becoming a three-weight champion in his 12th.

It's difficult to find holes in Loma's game and he possesses exceptional hand speed, timing, accuracy, movement, footwork and stamina.

However, Campbell is also a gifted fighter with high boxing IQ, a height and reach advantage and plenty of power, and he should not be written off as a no-hoper.

Since winning Olympic gold at London 2012, Campbell's pro career has been a bit stop-start, but he now seems to be settled under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan and has benefited from regular sparring sessions with world champion stablemate Josh Taylor.

This is Campbell's second crack at a world title having previously lost a split-decision to Jorge Linares in California. He got off to a bad start and was knocked down in the second round, but recovered well and gave Linares plenty of problems for the rest of the contest.

Lomachenko has fought Linares too, and was also knocked down and made to work hard before he sussed him out and stopped him in round ten.

Having faced both men, Linares is in a perfect position to give his views on the fight. And while he thinks Loma will be victorious he is also keen to big up Campbell's chances.

"Lomachenko is a bit faster than Campbell. Campbell is a little bit taller, and he uses his reach very well", Linares told ESPN.

"The length and reach are going to be a test for Lomachenko for the first three or four rounds. After I knocked him [Campbell] down in round two, I could only hit him with the straight right and really nothing with the jab. He's a really crafty boxer."

"Campbell has a great chance of winning, and don't be shocked if he puts Lomachenko down like I did. I think Lomachenko will take it by decision."

If Campbell does pull off the upset it will go down as one of the greatest achievements in British boxing history, and there are few downsides to having a small bet on the underdog at huge odds.

But while Campbell winning remains a longshot, he could easily take Lomachenko into the later rounds.

Campbell has lost twice before - to Linares and Yvan Mendy - and was dropped in both fights but was not stopped, losing both by split decision, and is proven over 12 rounds.

Lomachenko isn't necessarily a power puncher, although he has stopped nine of his last ten opponents - all of which were top-class. He will likely target Campbell's long body as he likes to keep a high guard, and the Brit will need a career-best performance to survive.

But that is something he is capable of. Campbell deserves to be fighting at this level and while his best efforts may ultimately fall short it might not be as easy for Lomachenko as the odds suggest.

Recommendations
Over 8.5 rounds
1pt Evs Betfair, Paddy Power
Fight to go the distance
1pt 9-4 general

Hughie Fury should grind out a victory over veteran Alexander Povetkin

For a 24-year-old, Hughie Fury has racked up an impressive amount of experience against some good opposition but he has yet to prove he is a serious player on the heavyweight scene.

A victory over Alexander Povetkin, who turns 40 next week, would be great to have on his record and despite being a slight underdog it's a fight Fury could and should win.

But don't expect it to be a thriller. Fury has excellent footwork, a good jab and decent defence, but struggles to let his hands go and his fights are often boring safety-first chess matches.

It's anyone's guess what Povetkin will have to offer - he hasn't been seen since losing in seven rounds to Anthony Joshua last summer - but his time looks to have passed with a new generation of heavyweights on the scene, and rather than chasing titles his priority is now likely to be to make as much money as he can before he retires.

Povetkin may lack motivation going into this fight, and if he does his engine may not be able to keep up with a man 16 years his junior.

It might be tough to watch, but while Fury doesn't throw enough punches he has a solid skillset and a good chin, so take him to grind out a win on the scorecards.

Recommendation
H Fury by decision
1pt 9-4 general

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