Jorge Linares won a split decision to defend his WBA lightweight strap but was made to work for it every step of the way.
Indeed challenger Campbell was furious at the decision afterwards. His supporters will have been similar in a fight that could have gone either way.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist Campbell showed massive progression to push Linares like he did in the fight and without doubt one could tell making the move to Cuban trainer Jorge Rubio two years ago is now starting to pay dividends for Campbell’s development as a fighter.
But it wasn’t to be enough on this night.
Campbell got dropped in the second round by Linares but afterwards forced his way back into the fight. However Linares’ experience was enough to see him close out the fight to edge it on points.
Linares also opened a nasty cut above the eye of Campell relatively early in the fight which the Englishman showed great heart and tenacity to box through for the rest of the fight.
It was revealed afterwards that Campbell’s vision was heavily impacted throughout the fight as a result. Speaking post-fight Campbell said:
“I thought I won the fight. He’s a great champion but I thought I outclassed him.”
A rematch could certainly happen down the line one suspects. With Campbell’s promoter Eddie Hearn based in the US more and more one suspects he will push for this.
