Linares vs Campbell: Jorge Linares confident he will see off the threat of Luke Campbell

By Tim Hobbs

Image: Jorge Linares admits Luke Campbell is a "beautiful" boxer but believes the British fighter will come up short when they fight

Jorge Linares is convinced he is a level above Luke Campbell and will not see his American dream shattered.

The popular WBA lightweight world champion defends his WBA and WBC Diamond lightweight titles and Ring Magazine honour against the Olympic gold medallist in Los Angeles on September 23.

Three-weight world champion Linares has already beaten Brits Kevin Mitchell and Anthony Crolla (twice) in lightweight world title fights and believes he will add Campbell to his list.

Image: Luke Campbell boxed 'beautifully' at Wembley Stadium, says Jorge Linares

"I saw his last fight here on the Joshua v Klitschko night and he is a beautiful fighter, but now I need the biggest fighters - Mikey Garcia, Vasyl Lomachenko, Luke Campbell or Terry Flanagan - because it is the best moment for my career," he exclusively told Sky Sports.

"He has a very good record in the amateurs and is also moving into professionals but you know, this is a different level.

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"I am a four-time world champion right now, but it's good for him, good for me and good for the UK's boxing."

Linares, who is currently based in London with trainer Ismael Salas working with David Haye, has already boxed in four continents.

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The Campbell showdown will be his sixth fight in America but with only one of them being for a world title, the 31-year-old Venezuelan, is out to make a huge impact.

Image: Jorge Linares has beaten Britain's Anthony Crolla and Kevin Mitchell

"Now I am looking for big opportunities in America because three times I have fought here in the UK, so now I am looking for something like pay-per-view, or HBO, which is why I am fighting in America.

"I don't have a problem with that. Before I had the same story in Japan, now I need it in the United States, after having it in the UK.

Luke Campbell found a perfect uppercut to stop Jairo Lopez in his tracks and win inside two rounds.

"It's a good opportunity for me and that's why I am looking for big fights, big openings.

"I know nothing is easy. Everybody told me Luke Campbell is an easy fight, but nothing is easy. But now I am looking for big fights, not 'semi-finals', I am looking for the main event, the 'final'."

Jorge Linares v Luke Campbell, from the Fabulous Forum, Los Angeles, will be shown live on Sky Sports, in the early hours September 24.

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