By Allan Fox: Luke Campbell is a dangerous fight for Ryan Garcia, says Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez. Unbeaten lightweight contender King Ryan (20-0, 17 K.O.s) needs this fight to build his career and take him to the next level.
Golden Boy still needs to negotiate the WBC-ordered match between Campbell (20-3, 17 K.O.s) and Ryan for September or October. Campbell, 32, has already made it known that he wants the fight in the U.K.
He feels that he’s got a big fan base that wants to see him fight in the U.K., and doesn’t want to have to travel to the U.S. to fight the 21-year-old Ryan. That’s not going to be a popular idea with Garcia and his promoters at Golden Boy Promotions, as they’ll be looking to stage the fight in the U.S.
Ryan Garcia hasn’t fought in front of a hostile crowd
The combination of King Ryan’s age and the lack of experience he’d had in traveling to different countries to fight would put him at a significant disadvantage in going t the U.K.
It wouldn’t be a big deal if they fought inside an empty studio, but there’s a good chance the crowds will be allowed back in the U.K. by the time Garcia and Luke Campbell fight in October.
“He is a legitimate threat, a very good fighter, an Olympic gold medallist,” said Golden Boy president Eric Gomez to skysports.com.”
This will test Ryan. If he beats Campbell then he will get a lot of credit. But it is very dangerous for Ryan. These are the type of fights that he needs in his career.”
The main reason why Luke is a dangerous opponent for Garcia is the fact that he’s been in with some tough customers in the past, and he’s seasoned in fights that are back and forth. Campbell’s matches against these fighters were drama-filled and highly competitive:
- Vasily Lomachenko
- Jorge Linares
- Yvan Mendy x 2
Those were Luke’s only opponents in his seven-year pro career in which he had a hard time. The other 16 guys that Campbell has faced, he blew out. He destroyed almost all of the other opponents he’s fought, and he’s gotten rid of them fast.
If Ryan isn’t up to the test, the southpaw Campbell could dispose of him early as well. You’ve got to have the talent to be able to hang with Campbell for the full 12 rounds. Forget about knocking him out. No one has done that, not even Vasily Lomachenko.
Campbell with the advantage in experience
In contrast, the toughest fight of Ryan’s career was against Carlos Morales, who he had to battle hard to beat by a 12 round majority decision in 2018. In reviewing the Garcia-Morales match, it’s difficult to understand what the judges were thinking about not giving Morales the victory.
Morales took the fight to Garcia the entire contest, and he had him rubbery-legged and on the run in the final five rounds. Ryan was utterly exhausted, and he couldn’t throw his left hook with power on it after his legs went in the second half.
Garcia was still landing his left hooks late, but they did not affect Morales by that stage in the contest. The pressure from Morales wore Garcia down, and he was in full treat most of the time.
“It’s a big arena fight,” said Campbell to Fight Disciples about his clash with Ryan Garcia. “He’s got a hell of a following, and I’ve got a good following myself in the U.K. with a lot of fans interested in coming to this fight.
“It’s certainly an arena fight with a crowd. I’m trying to push for the U.K. I think it would be a cracking fight here. We’ve got the best fans in the world, so why not make it here. I’ve just got to keep winning,” said Campbell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaQI0sKum3M
Ryan will be easier for Luke to get to
Luke sees this fight as a way for him to redeem himself for his last performance against Vasily Lomachenko, who was too good for him last at the O2.
No matter what Campbell attempted to do against Loma, he was always one step ahead of him. The footwork and the angles on Lomachenko’s attacks had Campbell looking confused most of the fight, and he couldn’t do anything.
With Ryan Garcia, he’s a more basic fighter that Campbell can get to with his pressure. Ryan doesn’t possess the footwork that Lomachenko possesses, and he’s not going to be able to easily escape when Campbell puts it on him during the fight.
The only thing that Campbell needs to watch out for early in the fight against Ryan is his sturdy left hook. Early on, Ryan will be dangerous with that punch because if he can land it cleanly, Campbell may hit the deck once or twice.
Garcia has been knocking out a lot of his B-level opponents early in his fights; Those knockouts were also a product of Golden Boy matching Ryan against inferior opposition that lacked the defense and the chin to be able to take his shots.
Ryan’s last six opponents:
- Romero Duno
- Francisco Fonseca
- Jose Lopez
- Braulio Rodriguez
- Carlos Morales
- Jayson Velez
Those fighters weren’t a threat to beating Ryan the way Carlos Morales was two years earlier in 2018. Golden Boy backed off from matching Garcia against good B-level guys after his close call win over Morales in 2018. Ryan’s last two fights have come against Fonseca and Duno, who was a step down from Morales.
Garcia hasn’t had a chance to improve his conditioning
All those early knockouts that Ryan has on his record could hurt him when it comes to fighting a long-duration fight against Luke. Ryan hasn’t gotten the chance to improve his stamina by going 10 and 12 rounds to win his matches.
The only two fights for Garcia that went ten rounds were against Morales and Jayson Velez in 2018.
If Campbell can take Ryan into the deep waters in 10th, 11th, or 12th, he could stop him. Golden Boy Promotions hasn’t said how many rounds the Campbell vs. Garcia fight is, but you have to assume that it’ll be a 12 rounder because the WBC interim lightweight title will be on the line. That could be bad news for Ryan.
Campbell still looked sharp in the later rounds against Lomachenko, and he was even taking the fight to him despite him being overmatched. Ryan cannot afford to let the battle with Luke to go into the second half because he’ll be at a considerable risk of getting worn down and stopped by him.
Boxing fans are still surprised that Golden Boy Promotions are giving Ryan Gacia the green light to take this fight with Luke because the difference in experience is enormous.
Campbell-Garcia could turn out to be a slaughter for Campbell, and that could ruin Ryan’s confidence and hurt his career.