Nearly two months into his world title reign following his brilliant upset over previously unbeaten Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, IBF/WBA/WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs) is enjoying life at the top.
Going into his fight with Diaz as a hravy underdog, Campbell remained focused and determined as he negated Diaz’ relentless attack and non-stop punching, while cleverly outworking and outclassing the “Baby Bull” over a hard and grueling twelve rounds of nonstop action.
It was 1997 when Campbell was working the graveyard shift in a grocery stockroom in Jacksonville, Florida, when an co-worker spotted him shadow boxing during a break and suggested he try it professionally. Flash forward eleven years and the now 36-year-old world champion tells Fightnews that he doesn’t forsee anyone being able to take his top spot from him. “I’ll be here long after all these superstars are gone, I didn’t turn pro until I was 27 years old and 11 months, my body hasn’t been beat up and I’m in great shape,” he stated.
Many possible foes now line up to face the current titleholder but no names ring louder than Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KOs) current WBC junior lightweight champion. Pacquiao, who has now recently made the decision to move up in weight, faces current WBC lightweight belt holder David Diaz on June 28 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
There have been discussions about a Campbell-Pacquiao clash. “Don got on the phone with Bob right after my fight to get it done with Manny, so I just let him do his job,” states Campbell. Fightnews also confirmed the news with Terry Trekas, Campbell’s manager.
Campbell who is known for his great boxing skills says that should a fight with Pacquiao ever occur, he would not be afraid to fight him toe to toe. “Many people don’t realize that as much I am a boxer, I am a sadistic kind of fighter when the bell rings and I hurt guys. I would love to stop Pacquiao.” He then added, “Pacquiao wouldn’t last twelve rounds with me and if he did, it would be the worst twelve rounds he ever went!”
Currrently Campbell is preparing for a wedding on May 17th but also cannot wait to get right back into the ring. Eagerly awaiting his next opponent, Campbell remains relaxed and just enjoys where he is at, “I just want to fight the best fighters out there that want to fight!”
One belt away from being the undisputed lightweight champion, Campbell states, “I’m not looking any further than who my next opponent is, and eventually I will have to fight Manny Pacquiao.”
