Luke Campbell Still Hopeful for the Javier Fortuna Fight
Generally speaking, when prizefights are ordered, this usually clears up situations in the sport of boxing. However, when the WBC ordered Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (35-2-1, 24 KO’s) to face Luke Campbell (20-3, 16 KO’s) things only became more muddled. Fortuna and Campbell were supposed to do battle to decide the fate the WBC’s lightweight title.
The belt actually belonged to Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15 KO’s), who was somewhat quizzically listed as a “champion in recess.” Since the bout was ordered and COVID-19 put the whole world on house arrest, Haney has returned to resume his status as an active champion.
Despite Haney and DAZN going public with the notice, Campbell has revealed that he has received no such notification.
CONFUSION IS KING
With The Dream back on the scene looking to resume his status as the WBC lightweight champion, this throws Campbell in a precarious situation. Prior to his bout with Fortuna being ordered, the latter was Haney’s mandatory challenger. So logic would assume that now the champ has returned to fighting form, El Abejon would get the nod. Clearly, this is the worst case scenario for the #2 ranked challenger.
Yet, in a recent interview conducted with Boxing Social, Campbell explained how he has not been told that his fight with Fortuna has officially been canned.
“I don’t blame Devin Haney for doing what he’s done, but obviously on the other hand if it did go ahead, obviously I’d be devastated and very upset and disappointed because this is my dream. The WBC belt for me is my dream. I believe it’s the best belt and the most prestigious belt out of them all.
“I just got to wait and see what the WBC says and hopefully they’ll make the right decision and continue the fight planned and [I’ll] still hopefully fight for a world title.
“I am very grateful that the WBC gave me the second opportunity obviously to fight for this title again. I’m very grateful for that opportunity I just hope that now it can stay that way and I can still get to fight for that title in this next fight.”
NO HARD FEELINGS
Even with this potential dream opportunity being dangled in his face and Haney insisting he does not deserve the shot, Campbell doesn’t hold a grudge. The UK bruiser understands that everyone is fighting for themselves and he is not losing sleep over anything that Haney has done or said.
“I think it’s a huge fight between me and Haney. He is a big name in America and I believe I am a big name in the UK and that fight has potential to be a fantastic fight. And you know a major fight here in the UK or America…it is what it is.
“It’s all excitement and it builds fights very good and this is what it’s about. It’s an entertainment game and I don’t take any of it to heart. It’s boxing, it’s what we do. At the end of the day, we get in the ring and fight but the build-up can be very exciting as well.”
It will be interesting to see what the next official move is in this ongoing situation. And obviously, with the most to lose, Campbell will definitely be tuned in to see what fight the WBC orders when this COVID-19 business has come to a close.
By: Bakari Simpson
