Linares vs Campbell: Tommy Coyle looks back at his loss to local rival Luke Campbell

If there is one professional figher who knows Luke Campbell, it is local rival, former foe, and friend, Tommy Coyle. 'Boom Boom' looks back at the Battle of Hull and what Campbell did - and does - well...

Live Fight Night International

What was the first thing that surprised you?

It was his stature. I'd known him for years but when I saw him in that ring I couldn't believe how he made lightweight. For someone of his frame to make 9st 9lbs really surprised me.

Were Cool Hands hands as quick as you expected?

He was extremely fast but I knew that. Above all he was accurate. People thing it's his hands are fast but it is his feet. He takes half-steps and you don't see him taking them, then you miss by a mile because he's hands are quick.

How good was his jab?

I was out-jabbing him. Not all fight but his jab isn't his biggest asset. It's not bad but it is nothing compared to his speed and his timing.

Did he hit harder than you expected?

Don't think he didn't knock me out, he did, but he didn't once hurt me to the head. He did to the body and everybody in boxing knows you don't have to punch hard to the body. Luke is very accurate and very fast.

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What was his best shot?

It was the left-hand bolo. It is one of those horrible shots that you might know is coming, but you just can't get out of the way. If I'd have stayed on the outside, I wouldn't have been in range so I had to take some chances to get in range.

Were there any weaknesses you uncovered?

He doesn't like being backed up. If Linares does that, I can see Luke swallowing it.

My plan was to do just that and hope he did that down the stretch, but he did some great work on my body early on, and that stopped me really pushing him hard when I need to.

How good was his defence?

His defence isn't the best - although it is much better than mine! I landed plenty and when we are talking about Linares, you could have the tightest defence around, he will find a hole. He'd find his way in to a mousehole.

Has he got a solid chin?

I am not sure. He stands so upright, as we saw against Yvas Mendy, when he took one and went over. I know Luke doesn't like it on the chin, whereas I half like it. I quite enjoy it and it chills me out. I go to the gym like a lunatic but as soon as I've sparred, taken a few, I just want to go home and cuddle the missus.

If you could fight him again, what would you do differently?

I would believe in myself. I never believed I could win that fight from day-dot. Looking back, everything was a blag in the build-up, I had to try and make him think but I honestly never thought I would beat him. Every fight, like the ones with Daniel Brizuela, Michael Katsidis, Martin Gethen, Eddie Hearn would tell me Campbell was next.

And when I got it, that was it. I was more interested in meeting Michael Buffer and having him say my name, in a stadium, open air. I'd won so many fights to get there, that was it. I just didn't think I would win.

Watch Luke Campbell challenge Jorge Linares for the WBA lightweight title, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action, from 3am on Sunday.