Luke Campbell: Everyone would love to beat me

“Everybody has it in for you and everybody wants to beat you that little bit more because you are an Olympic champion,” said Campbell.

“I have to be that little bit more prepared and that little bit more professional in what I do because knowing that fact that everyone would love to beat me.

“I am not in this game to mess around and I want the titles just as much as any other boxer. But I want to assess each performance after every fight and go from there. I am an Olympic champion and I do believe in my own ability. Time will tell.”

26 year old Campbell says he is yet to reach his Olympic level: “I still don’t feel as though I am as good as I was during the Olympics. There are differences of course – more rounds, no headguards, adapting to the pros – so there is a lot to take into consideration.

“There is pressure as well. There are not many professional boxers who have had four fights and been top of the bill in two of those fights. Through having the experience of the Olympics – that was pressure, serious pressure – now I look at this as sit back and enjoy it.”

Part of the learning curve for Campbell came in his last contest on the undercard of Carl Froch’s world title clash with George Groves in November. Campbell faced Ferndale’s Chuck Jones in a four-round clash that he admits he was unprepared for on the night.

“I didn’t get to the stadium in time. There were a lot of knockouts, and that rushed the show on quite a lot and I wasn’t ready. I felt rushed in what I was doing but that was my own fault.

“I found out in the third round that it was a four rounder and not a six. I was expecting to do the six and grind him down and go for the stoppage in the last two rounds. But it was good to do the rounds – you are not going to stop everyone and it is as much about learning as it is winning and that is what I try and do with each performance.

“I haven’t changed anything to prepare for the eight rounder, I have just increased my work load. It is going to be another step up doing eight rounds, but I am looking forward to it.”

Topping the bill in Hull is Darren Hamilton’s clash with Driffield’s Curtis Woodhouse for the British Light Welterweight title. Tommy Coyle defends his IBF International Lightweight title against Daniel Brizuela, while Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell faces Leigh Wood for the vacant British Super Bantamweight title.

Local prospects in action are Zak Collins, Joel Haigh and Charlie Payton, and there’s four-rounders for Manchester’s Hosea Burton and New Malden’s Lerrone Richards. Liverpool super middleweight Tony Dodson, who is aiming to secure a Commonwealth title shot against Rocky Fielding on March 15, will also be boxing.