By Scott Gilfoid: #10 WBC lightweight contender Luke Campbell (14-1, 11 KOs) defeated former IBF super featherweight champion Argenis Mendez (23-5-1, 12 KOs) by a 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, UK. The final judges’ scores were 116-111, 117-110, 115-112.
Campbell was knocked down in round two by a right hand from the 30-year-old Mendez. It was more of a flash knockdown with Mendez dropping Campbell while squared up in front of him. The remainder of the fight saw Mendez fighting like a sparring partner and not throwing punches. It was sad to watch because there was no action at all from Mendez’s side.
Campbell is a former 2012 Olympic gold medalist. He had been brought along slowly after turning pro in 2013. Last year, Campbell was soundly beaten by Yvan Lendy. Since then, Campbell has been put back on a diet of weak opponents, including his fight tonight against the clearly past his best Mendez.
All in all, it’s hard to know whether Campbell has improved because Mendez was so bad. It definitely isn’t a good sign that Campbell was knocked down by Mendez.
“I really think Campbell can become a world champion,” said his promoter Eddie Hearn to IFL TV.
I don’t know what Hearn is talking about, because what I saw of Campbell tonight, I don’t see him as having the talent to become a world champion. I mean, if he’s matched up against WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla really quickly before he loses his title, then he might win a world title. But if Hearn puts Campbell in with WBC champion Dejan Zlaticanin or WBO champion Terry Flanagan, I see him losing to those guys. Campbell is too flawed for him to beat any of the champions that hit back. Crolla is a special case because he’s lacking in talent and is likely only going to be a belt holder for a little while longer before he gets whipped.
Hearn went on to say that Mendez would beat Yvan Lendy, the guy that defeated Campbell by a 12 round split decision last year in December. I think Hearn is totally dreaming. I mean, Mendez used to be a good fighter years ago, but he’s clearly not the fighter that he once was. Mendy would do a number on Mendez and beat him way worse than Campbell did. Mendez no longer throws punches. He’s become totally economical with his shots at this point in his career. That’s why Campbell was able to outwork him and get the decision. Hearn was crowing about Campbell’s win over Mendez, as it was a big deal. The fact of the matter is Campbell wasn’t impressive at all. He looked like a tall stork plodding around the ring, pushing his punches, and standing upright with his amateur fighting style. Campbell looked like a fighter that was begging to be hit. Believe me, unbeaten talent Robert Easter Jr. (17-0, 14 KOs) did a much better job in defeating Mendez than Campbell. Easter Jr. stopped Mendez in five rounds last April in a one-sided fight. Easter Jr. looked far better than Campbell in beating Mendez. I don’t understand how Campbell can win a world title at lightweight unless he is steered around guys like Easter Jr. by Hearn and put in directly with WBA champion Anthony Crolla straightaway for a title shot before Crolla gets whipped by someone else.