Luke Campbell to fight Darleys Perez on Joshua-Klitschko undercard
ByPA Sport
Published 10/04/2017 at 13:48 GMT
Luke Campbell will take on former world champion Darleys Perez later this month in an eliminator for the number one spot to fight WBA lightweight beltholder Jorge Linares.
Luke Campbell, pictured, will fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's showdown with Wladimir Klitschko
Image credit: PA Sport
Luke Campbell will take on former world champion Darleys Perez later this month in an eliminator for the number one spot to fight WBA lightweight beltholder Jorge Linares.
The London 2012 gold medallist faces his stiffest test to date as a professional on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's world heavyweight title showdown with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley on April 29.
Perez (33-2-2, 21KOs) held the WBA strap until he was dethroned in November 2015 by Anthony Crolla, who in turn went on to lose two unanimous decisions to Linares.
The Tokyo-based Venezuelan produced a remarkable display to see off a valiant but over-matched Crolla in their rematch at the Manchester Arena last month, but Campbell believes he could succeed where his fellow Briton failed.
Campbell said: "We have identified Linares as a fight we want and this win would put us number one in the WBA and in a great position to fight him."
Campbell has bounced back from his only defeat in the paid ranks to Yvan Mendy in November 2015 with four successive wins to put himself among the contenders at 135lbs.
But he must first get past Colombia's Perez and the 29-year-old is in no doubt as to the severity of his challenge.
"This is the fight of my career so far and I'm so excited to be boxing on this huge night at Wembley," said Campbell (16-1, 13KOs).
"I feel like I've been improving with every performance and believe now that I'm ready for a shot at the world title.
"Darleys Perez is by far my toughest fight yet but I need to come through this in order to face the champions. It's going to be an incredible experience and I'm looking forward to shining on the big stage."
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