Saturday 23 September 2017 23:30, UK
Luke Campbell is looking to become the latest British challenger to win a world title on American soil, when he takes on WBA world lightweight champion Jorge Linares. The Hull southpaw is happy to be the underdog, so we asked current and former fighters for their predictions...
They are both really nice guys so I just want the best man to win. I still stay in touch with Jorge and I've known Luke for years. But you've got to make Linares a strong favourite on recent form - and I am not saying it's about me.
The experience Linares has got at that top level. I just see Jorge landing too often throughout, with counter punches of his own. If you are pushing me, Jorge could stop him between eight and 10.
I think Linares might take a safety first approach, but if he does, Luke will win the first couple of rounds and his confidence is going to grow. Linares will have to chase the fight and if he does, that's where Luke's amateur pedigree will come in and his boxing skills. He'll get on that back foot and pick him off.
I think Luke is going to win the first two rounds, then Linares will play catch up, come back into it in rounds five, six, seven, but Luke's boxing ability is going to take over again and he'll win on points. I think he'll get a unanimous decision by about four rounds.
Whenever I've sat ringside and watched him fight, I've got to say Linares is one of the best fighters I've seen. He is so clinical with every single shot. He doesn't mess around, or waste them.
It's a big, big step up for Luke and I want him to go there and win that world title. He's a good kid from my neck of the woods but do I think he will win? I'm afraid not. If Linares is at his best, I don't think anyone at that weight. Linares on points, possibly a late stoppage.
Luke has boxed all around the world and he's going to be used to any atmosphere. He will be able to deal with the challenges ahead, but it's going to be difficult because Linares is a quality fighter. I have always rated Luke Campbell, he's an Olympic gold medallist, a slick southpaw, and I think he's going to create problems for Linares.
I'm hoping he pulls it off, but it's a hard fight and a tough challenge. Hopefully he can pull it off and if he does, it will be on points and not a stoppage. He's got beautiful boxing ability and hopefully he can show that on Saturday.
Campbell is travelling away from home and it's a really big test for him. But it's a fight that I think he can win, if he can box and move. Campbell probably doesn't get the respect he deserves, because he had that loss against Yvan Mendy. But he had a lot of problems going into that and was caught by a good shot. He learned a lot from that night and has come back stronger.
You have got to give Luke a chance and I'm giving him a big chance. But you're gambling man, you're going to be smart with your money and safe. You would have to say the safe bet is Linares to beat Luke Campbell. I think on points. I don't think he stops him.
Linares is beatable, as Kevin Mitchell was proving before it was over. Campbell's tall, long ranginess and that 'Bolo' backhander will play key parts in this one, but he does need to get off to a fantastic start.
We know Linares has been hurt early in the past, but is Luke going to be able to take everything thrown at him if he can't catch him early? I don't think so. There is a chance and I would love to see Luke do it, but unfortunately I see him getting stopped late on.
If I was Jorge, I would go out and use my ring craft, I would start letting my hands go, not be hesitant. Luke struggled when he got put under pressure by Yvan Mendy and Jorge might try to throw combinations and dictate the fight straight away.
On boxing ability, he will be too much for Luke. But if Luke can get Linares late, when he starts tiring, and catch him with that backhand, he can do the job. I would say Linares beats him on points or Luke knocks him out late.
I can't see anything other than a Linares win. Luke needs to pop in and out of range, try and mess him up, but that does take up energy and trying to nick a fight alone, is really taxing.
After a four or five-round chess match, I think Linares will find his groove and his timing and I think he could stop him late. Luke doesn't like it on his chin and as much as I would love to see him do it, I honestly don't see it going the distance.
If I am honest, I can't see Campbell winning but I can see him doing really, really well. The two fights with Ant Crolla showed that Linares is not on the slide and they probably re-ignited him, but Campbell is completely different to Crolla.
He is going to present Linares with more problems and I see him even winning the opening few rounds. But as soon as Linares finds his groove, his distance and his timing, he will take over. Luke is crafty and savvy enough to look after himself but down the stretch I see Linares winning fairly comfortably on points.
Luke comes across to me as a confidence fighter and he has to go in there believing he can do it. He has to get on top straight away, but this is the first time he is going in with a top-drawer fighter. We know Luke has the attributes but this is a real psychological test.
Campbell should be ahead early on but he has to react to what Linares does round-by-round. Jorge has everything, as we've all seen and I am a big Campbell fan but as soon as it was announced, I thought it was a bit too early. Sadly, I'd go for Linares to stop him late on.
Watch Luke Campbell challenge Jorge Linares, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action, from 3am on Sunday.
