Sunday 2 August 2015 12:57, UK
Luke Campbell has settled his Hull rivalry with Tommy Coyle after a stoppage win at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
The two local lightweights produced a thrilling albeit one-sided battle with Coyle regrouping after an early knockdown and Campbell finally ending his resistance courtesy of a sustained assault in the 10th round.
Coyle was floored three times in that session, crumpling to a heap in the corner as referee Victor Loughlin waved it off, propelling Campbell up the rankings with victory in a WBC world title eliminator.
Neither man was eager to commit in a tense opener, with Coyle content to grapple as he tried to avoid early harm. Campbell offered the only real moment of quality - a lightning, looping left hand.
This was a glimpse of Campbell’s accuracy and he unleashed a razor-sharp body shot in the second that dropped Coyle to his knees.
Drawing on a deep breath, Coyle was painfully aware of the battle ahead, and gestured Campbell in for another punishing exchange.
Coyle rested on Campbell’s chest on the third, denying his opponent the distance to land his flashy punches, but was briefly knocked off balance by more crisp counters.
He marched into a whirlwind of punches in the fourth with a left hand momentarily staggering him, and Campbell continued to reel off successions of impressive combinations that delighted the boisterous crowd.
Still Coyle refused to reverse in the fifth and landed a few clubbing punches of his own from close range, prompting Campbell to uncork a left hook and then a body shot before the bell.
Campbell was also capable of crude aggression and another stinging body shot, close to the belt line this time, drew a pained complaint from Coyle in the sixth.
‘Boom Boom’ yet again showed his bravery, finding his foe’s ribs with thudding punches in the seventh and the classy Campbell was being forced to demonstrate grit, gasping for air as he held off his former gym-mate in an increasingly draining contest.
Finally, though, Coyle was forced to a halt in the 10th as another spiteful body shot stalled his march and he slid down by the corner post. Campbell sensed the finish was near and floored him twice more during a relentless barrage before Loughlin stepped in, with Coyle helpless on the ropes.
Any harsh words in the build-up were put to one side as Campbell praised Coyle's bravery in the post-fight interview.
"It was a fantastic fight. What a tough man this is," he told Sky Sports. "I hit him with some cracking shots and he waved me on again. Credit to Tommy. I hope we gave the fans a great fight. I feel privileged they all came to support me and Tommy.
"Tommy is a great fighter so I didn't rush. I needed to be patient. He's a tough man, fit and strong and knows what he's doing inside the ring. It was tough and I just wanted to show everyone what I can do."
Coyle, who shed tears after the stoppage, admitted he was outclassed by the 2012 Olympic gold medallist.
He said: "It was a massive opportunity for me, but this man here, the world is really going to appreciate him because he's a special talent. I was confident I could upset the odds and even knock him out but he's too smart.
"I'm a domestic fighter at best and that's it. It's hard when you grow up with someone and he upset me but what's happened has happened. He's a great fighter."
