Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell came head-to-head for the final time before they lock horns at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
In arguably the biggest fight on British shores this year, Hull’s Campbell will challenge pound-for-pound number one Lomachenko for the WBA, WBO and WBC Lightweight World Titles.
Both appeared in fantastic condition as they hit the scales in front of a packed-out crowd at Spitalfields Market in London. The Ukrainian tipped the scales at 134.55 pounds whilst Campbell weighed 134.25, comfortably under the 135 pound limit.
After they both weighed-in, the pair held an intense but respectful stare down with neither refusing to break eye contact. Although “Hi-Tech” was marginally the heavier man on the scales, it was evident to even the most untrained eye that Luke Campbell was the naturally bigger man and will likely come to the ring with a significant weight advantage on Saturday.
Although the odds are firmly stacked against his favour, the Brit also towered over the Ukrainian, displaying a three-inch height advantage.
Speaking after the weigh-in, Luke Campbell stated he is happily thriving under the heavy underdog tag:
“I feel great and ready for action. This is what I live for, I’m ready. I have concentrated on myself and we’ve been very relaxed, I’m confident too.
“This is where I wanna be and this is the stage I love. You will see the best of me tomorrow night. It’s going to be explosive.”
Meanwhile, Vasiliy Lomachenko is eager to impress the UK boxing fraternity:
“I feel like I’m at home. I can’t wait to get in the ring and show my boxing skills to British fans and fans all over the world. Luke Campbell is a tough, smart and technical fighter so it’s going to be interesting – I am ready and that’s why I’m here in the UK!”
Despite fighting for the first time outside of the US in his professional career, ‘Loma’ is the heavy favourite with the bookmakers and is expected to add the WBC World Title to his astonishing strap collection on Saturday night. However, Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell is fighting in his home country and will have a major backing from the British public, which could be advantageous.
Also, on the card is Hughie Fury, who will face the Russian Alexander Povetkin in the chief support slot. Since losing to Anthony Joshua nearly a year ago, Povetkin returns to the UK to challenge the Stockport born man with another shot at the World Title and a subsequent return to the top-tier of the division potentially at stake.
Card in Full:
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Luke Campbell – WBC, WBA, WBO Lightweight World Titles
Hughie Fury vs Alexander Povetkin
Charlie Edwards vs Julio Cesar Martinez – WBC Flyweight World Title
Joshua Buatsi vs Ryan Ford – WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title
Joe Cordina vs Gavin Gwynne – British & Commonwealth Titles
James Tennyson vs Atif Shafiq – WBA International Lightweight Title
Savannah Marshall vs Daniele Basteri
Dalton Smith vs Darryl Pearce
Martin J Ward vs Josue Bendana
Connor Coghill vs Dean Jones
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