Sweet revenge as Campbell floors rival Nevin to claim Olympic bantamweight gold
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Campbell landed a superb left hand counter in the final round to floor his opponent, who had beaten him in 2009 before the Hull man gained revenge with a close win in last year's World Championship semi-finals.
Golden boy: Luke Campbell
Front foot: Luke Campbell (left) takes on Ireland's John Joe Nevin
Campbell had received the loudest cheers on the way to the ring, but there was still a sizeable Irish contingent who were buoyed by a bright start by Nevin, who surprised his old rival by beginning on the front foot.
Nevin's tactics seemed to play into the hands of Campbell to an extent, and the Yorkshireman landed with a slick combination, and although Nevin also landed it was Campbell's sharper shots that gave him a deserved 5-3 first round lead.
Joy and pain: Campbell celebrates but Nevin is distraught
CAMPBELL FACTFILE
1987: Born 27 September in Hull.
2007: Wins English ABA title.
2008: Retains English ABA title, wins European title in Liverpool.
2009: Wins bronze at EU Championships in Denmark.
2011: Wins world silver in Azerbaijan. Qualifies for London Olympics.
2012: Wins bantamweight gold medal at London 2012 beating Ireland's John Joe Nevin 14-11 in the final.
Campbell was producing a textbook performance, blocking the majority of Nevin's best efforts and countering well, although the Mullingar man came on well towards the end of the round, landing a peach of an uppercut and a stretching right hand to narrow the deficit to a single point at 9-8.
Given what was at stake, it was no surprise the third round should turn into a cagey affair, Campbell landing the first two rights of note before decking Nevin with a superb stabbing left as the Irishman lunged in to throw a right hand.
Campbell's lightning counters were making the difference, and at the end of an intriguing bout there could be little doubt that the Hull man had done enough to achieve a dream he has had since he first laced on gloves.
Big hit: Campbell floors Nevin with a superb left
Campbell was in tears as the verdict was announced and he accepted the congratulations of his cornermen, saying: 'I'm very emotional right now. The plan was to stay calm and stick to the boxing and throw my punches down the middle.
'It's something I've worked for all my life and I can't believe it's here.'
He dismissed the suggestion knowing Nevin so well was to his advantage.
He added: 'You can look at it both ways. He knows me really well as well. So we both knew each other.
Rivals: Campbell (right) and Nevin had a classic tear-up
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2187132/London-2012-Olympics-Luke-Campbell-beats-rival-John-Joe-Nevin-claim-bantamweight-gold.html#ixzz23HJLfvfy