Classy Campbell has title in reach (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Classy Campbell has title in reach

8:09pm Thursday 8th November 2007 in

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JOHN Campbell has set his sights on being a real contender after reaching the area Amateur Boxing Association finals.

The Accrington-born boxer took part in the ABA qualifiers in Withenshaw on Sunday and enjoyed a unanimous points victory over Ryan Collins from Macclesfield.

Now the 19-year-old, who fights out of Sandygate ABC in Burnley, will fight for the East Lancs, Cheshire and Isle of Man area title on Wednesday.

"This was the biggest fight of my career so far and my best performance," said the welterweight who now boasts a record of 13 wins from 19 fights. "I could have stopped him but I was delighted with my points victory."

Campbell got the vote from all of the judges in the four round bout and goes in to tomorrow's final against a fighter from the Jimmy Egan Gym in Manchester in confident mood.

"I trained hard for this competition and it was difficult because I didn't know who I was going to fight until the day. But I am confident in my own ability and I am determined to win on Wednesday and work towards the English title."

And come Wednesday night, Sandygate could have two area champions as Ben Brindle, Campbell's sparring partner, has reached the final of the light middleweight section.

As well as working with Brindle, Campbell prepared for the contest by sparring with Accrington professional Colin McCash who is training for his own comeback.

"Colin was a great help and we sparred together leading up to the ABAs. He also preparing to make a comeback so it was good we could help each other out.

"But I would also like to thank Ben for his help and my head coach John Brindle who has dedicated a lot of his own time to get my ready for the ABAs." Campbell went in to the contest in confident mood having recently returned from the Box Cup in Denmark as a gold medal winner.

He was one of 10 Sandygate fighters who made the trip to Copenhagen which included Brindle who won a silver medal.

"It is the first time I have competed in the Box Cup," added the former Moorland High School pupil. "It is a big competition and we took quite a strong team. So it was nice to come back with a gold medal."

Campbell, who took up boxing six years ago, used to be a member of Nicholls Police ABC in Manchester before switching to Sandygate in 2003.

He trains four nights a week which included running, weights but mainly concentrates on glove work and sparring.

Now he has set his sights on becoming a professional boxer.

"I'm a plasterer by trade but I want to become a professional boxer. WInnning the ABA title is a stepping stone to help my fulfil my dreams."