Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Luke Campbell
WELCOME TO THE LIVE BLOG
Thank you for joining me this afternoon for a special live blog from the O2 Arena in London, England for the Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Luke Campbell fight. As always I'll do my best to be your eyes and ears for this WBO, WBA and WBC unification lightweight championship bout.
The undercard is already underway live on the ESPN+ broadcast. While I won't be providing my unofficial scorecard for the undercard bouts, I will provide updates and round by round scoring for the main event.
Follow me on Twitter @peterkahn. I'll be here all night happy to read your comments and answer any questions. I'd love to know who you're picking to win. Lomachenko or Campbell. Also don't forget, immediately after the fight, join me and Forbes contributor Brian Mazique, also known as the The Fight Guys for our immediate reaction and live chat to see what you thought of the fight and what's next for the winner. Of course, feel free to subscribe to The Fight Guys.
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THE ODDS
According to the boxing odds at MyBookie Lomachenko is a -1340 favorite while Campbell is a +835 underdog. Lomachenko was a -1500 favorite yesterday while Campbell was a +800 underdog. Obviously a lot of late money coming in on the challenger Campbell in his hometown.
Here's what the undercard looked like tonight as we're in the final undercard bout before the main card starts shortly.
THE UNDERCARD
- Charlie Edwards vs. Julio Cesar Martinez, 12 rounds, for Edwards' WBC flyweight title
- Joshua Buatsi vs. Ryan Ford, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
- Joe Cordina vs. Gavin Gwynne, 12 rounds, for Cordina's British and Commonwealth lightweight titles
- Savannah Marshall vs. TBA, 6 or 8 rounds, female super middleweights
- Dalton Smith vs. TBA, 4 rounds, junior welterweights
I published my Lomachenko vs. Campbell prediction earlier today.
Lomachenko is in the O2 Arena!
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The co-feature of the evening in London is underway with Hughie Fury vs. Alexander Povetkin.
Remember, I'll be providing round by round analysis and my unofficial scorecard for Lomachenko vs. Campbell.
Follow me on Twitter @peterkahn. I'll be here all night happy to read your comments and answer any questions. I'd love to know who you're picking to win. Lomachenko or Campbell.
We're getting closer. About 30 minutes away.
THE MAIN EVENT IS UP NEXT!
Lomachenko and Campbell ring walks will be starting in just a moment.
Michael Buffer is in the ring. Fighters are walking. We're just seconds away from round one at the sold out O2 Arena. Huge cheers for Lomachenko's ring walk. Arguably more than the home town hero Campbell.
National anthems are underway.
Round one has begun.
ROUND ONE
First minute of the round a feeling out period. Campbell more active of the two southpaws. Halfway through the round, Lomachenko going backwards while Campbell comes forward. One minute left in the round Campbell lands a straight left. Campbell wins the round.
Campbell 10-9 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND TWO
Both fighters being patient a minute in to the round. Campbell still pressing the action. A lot of feeling out still. No one letting their hands go yet. Loma double jabs and body shot halfway through the round. Close round with a minute left. Lomachenko jab getting it done right now. Lomachenko picks it up at the end and steals the round with activity.
Even 19-19 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND THREE
A minute into the round, Campbell getting the better of the cautious action. A looping shot caught Lomachenko. Campbell again halfway through the round. Lomachenko snaps Campbell's head back with a minute and half left. Lomachenko seems to be warming up. Campbell lands an uppercut with thirty seconds left in the round. Very close round. Could go either way. I am giving it to Campbell.
Campbell 29-28 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND FOUR
Campbell coming forward. Being very technical. Lomachenko trying to get inside. Lomachenko with a couple of good shots a minute into the round. Lomachenko doubling his jab. Campbell using his distance well. Both fighters going to the body now. Very close action. Hard to score. Another close round. Goes to Lomachenko.
EVEN 38-38 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND FIVE
The action heating up. Lomachenko stalking and more active. Lomachenko finding success with accuracy. Lomachenko going to the head and body. Lomachenko hurts Campbell to the body and has him reeling toward the end of the round. Lomachenko wins the round.
Lomachenko 48-47 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND SIX
Lomachenko looks comfortable. Campbell has rebounded from the end of the last round. Lomachenko the more aggressive of the two. Lomachenko using the double jab to create opportunity. Campbell a little unstable. Lomachenko landing a power jab as well. Campbell putting up a fight but Lomachenko gets the better of this round.
Lomachenko 58-56 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND SEVEN
Very close action. Campbell hurts Lomachenko with a minute left in the round. Lomachenko returns the fire and hurts Campbell. Lomachenko turns the tables on that round and squeezes it out with a late flurry.
Lomachenko 68-65 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND EIGHT
Campbell looking to press the action, Lomachenko landing the cleaner shots. Lomachenko also landing more and doing a beter job of picking off Campbell's shots. Campbell looking to go to the body. Lomachenko nice body and then left hook. Lomachenko taking more control in this round. Campbell doesn't like the body shots. Lomachenko finding his mark. Great effort by both. Lomachenko wins the round.
Lomachenko 78-74 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND NINE
Another entertaining round. Most of the same action. Lomachenko doing enough solid work to win these rounds. Campbell having moments, but not doing enough to win this round. Lomachenko wins this round.
Lomachenko 88-83 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND TEN
Halfway through the round still very close action. Both fighters taking turns pressing the action. It's going to come down to accuracy where Lomachenko appears to have the advantage. Campbell is game but not doing enough to land clean punches. Lomachenko wins this round.
Lomachenko 98-92 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND ELEVEN
Lomachenko the more accurate shots in this round. Lomachenko has Campbell down with one minute left in the round. Campbell out of gas. Campbell fighting back. Lomachenko's body work has paid off. The rest of the round all Lomachenko. Lomachenko wins a 10-8 round.
Lomachenko 108-100 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
ROUND TWELVE
Lomachenko still coming forward. Campbell looks tired but fighting the best he can but unstable on his legs. Lomachenko thrown to the ground by Campbell while Campbell was hurt. Lomachenko dominates the round and fight to retain his title.
Lomachenko 118-109 (Peter Kahn unofficial scorecard)
My final unofficial scorecard has Lomachenko defeating Campbell by the score of 118-109.
For my bettor's out there, my Lomachenko vs. Campbell prediction earlier today had Lomachenko by decision at +250 (wager $100 to win +250).
The winner by unanimous decision with official scores 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109 is Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Once again, thank you for joining me. I hope I was able to be your eyes and ears for this fight.
