Boxer to fight for place in Commonwealth champs

Kathryn King | 20th January 2010

Wanganui boxer Luke Campbell, 21, will face the biggest test of his boxing career this month when he attends the 2010 Commonwealth Boxing Championship trials in Auckland.

And he's not going down without a fight.

Campbell, a former Wanganui High School student, has taken a month off his work as a joiner to prepare for the trials, which take place on January 30.

His schedule leading up to the trials includes training three times a day, six days a week at the Riverside Boxing Gym and attending high performance boot camps in Palmerston North.

"I'm just going to give it my best shot to make it in. I'm pretty nervous, but you can only do your best." he said.

Having been boxing for just three years, Campbell said it was the physical demands of the sport that drew him to it.

"I just went into the gym one day and saw how intense it was, which appealed to me, and I just really enjoyed it. My younger brother Jake is into it too."

Attending the trials as a welterweight (under 70kg), Campbell has previously competed in America, Tahiti, Australia and recently came second in his division in the New Zealand Amateur Boxing Championships in Rotorua last October.

Campbell's coach, Jim Comp, said Campbell was ranked third in his division, making number one Kahukura Bentson, and number two Bowyn Morgan the ones to beat.

"Luke can beat both of them, his work ethic is really good. He's working 5:30am to 5pm, there's not a lot of athletes that do that."

Campbell will need to win every round against his five competitors if he is to make it to the Commonwealth Boxing Championships in India on March 10 - if he loses one match, he's out.

The key to Campbell's success will be keeping his head in the game, Comp said.

"It's in his head. he's got to think. I can give him the game plan but he's got to put it into action."

If he does get though, Campbell would need a sponsor to help him compete internationally, Comp said.

"His chances of getting through are good. If he performs, we'll have to get him overseas to get him competition."