Breakdown: Jorge Linares vs. Luke Campbell fight preview and prediction

The Lightweight title is on the line Saturday night on HBO as Jorge Linares takes on Luke Campbell.

Saturday night, HBO presents a Lightweight world title fight when Jorge Linares (42-3; 27 KO) takes on Luke Campbell (17-1; 14 KO). The fight is for the WBA and Ring Magazine Lightweight (140 lbs.) titles held by Linares. The fight takes place this Saturday, September 23, live on HBO. The broadcast has a start time of 10:00 p.m. ET. Linares vs. Campbell will be preceded by first a replay of Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez.

How do these two stack up?
Linares: 32 years old | 5’8” | 69″ reach | orthodox stance
Campbell: 29 years old | 5’9″ | 71″ reach | southpaw stance

What have these two done recently?
Linares: W – Anthony Crolla (UD) | W – Anthony Crolla (UD) | W – Ivan Cano (KO)
Campbell: W – Darleys Perez (TKO) | W – Jairo Lopez (TKO) | W – Derry Mathews (KO)

How did these two get here?

Jorge Linares is an interesting case. He’s a highly skilled technician, he’s won major world titles in three separate weight classes, and he’s the king of the solid 135 pound division. Despite all that, he has struggled to get much respect or recognition – he’s one of only two men Ring Magazine recognizes as their world champion but still doesn’t place in the top 10 pound for pound. He had a definite rough patch from 2009-2012 when he lost to fighters that seem to be below his level, but he’s undefeated since 2012 and comes in off a good win in his rematch with Anthony Crolla.

Luke Campbell won Gold for Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics. He turned pro shortly after, and has been near perfect, with his only loss coming as a close split decision. He’s had a step up in competition lately, and he’s done well with it, not only defeating fighters like Derry Mathews and Darleys Perez, but stopping them. He has a higher KO ratio than you sometimes see from those coming out of an Olympic program and has been solid. He’s taking a notable step up here though.

What can fans expect?

This should be a good technical fight, as both men are smart fighters that bring a certain level to the ring. But it’s also a matcg-up that really favors Linares. Campbell does best when he can outwork his opponents, using either speed or technical superiority to slow them down. He won’t have those advantages here. If Campbell tries to make it more of a brawl, Linares showed in the Crolla fights that he has the resilience to succeed there as well. There’s not a great avenue to a Campbell win here honestly.
Prediction: Jorge Linares, UD

Who should watch?

It’s not the most thrilling fight in the world, but it’s solid enough, and the two styles should mesh well to put on a fun fight. With no UFC on, this one is worth your time. Plus you can tune in early to get all indignant about Canelo vs. GGG again.

The Lightweight title is on the line Saturday night on HBO as Jorge Linares takes on Luke Campbell.

Saturday night, HBO presents a Lightweight world title fight when Jorge Linares (42-3; 27 KO) takes on Luke Campbell (17-1; 14 KO). The fight is for the WBA and Ring Magazine Lightweight (140 lbs.) titles held by Linares. The fight takes place this Saturday, September 23, live on HBO. The broadcast has a start time of 10:00 p.m. ET. Linares vs. Campbell will be preceded by first a replay of Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez.

How do these two stack up?
Linares: 32 years old | 5’8” | 69″ reach | orthodox stance
Campbell: 29 years old | 5’9″ | 71″ reach | southpaw stance

What have these two done recently?
Linares: W – Anthony Crolla (UD) | W – Anthony Crolla (UD) | W – Ivan Cano (KO)
Campbell: W – Darleys Perez (TKO) | W – Jairo Lopez (TKO) | W – Derry Mathews (KO)

How did these two get here?

Jorge Linares is an interesting case. He’s a highly skilled technician, he’s won major world titles in three separate weight classes, and he’s the king of the solid 135 pound division. Despite all that, he has struggled to get much respect or recognition – he’s one of only two men Ring Magazine recognizes as their world champion but still doesn’t place in the top 10 pound for pound. He had a definite rough patch from 2009-2012 when he lost to fighters that seem to be below his level, but he’s undefeated since 2012 and comes in off a good win in his rematch with Anthony Crolla.

Luke Campbell won Gold for Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics. He turned pro shortly after, and has been near perfect, with his only loss coming as a close split decision. He’s had a step up in competition lately, and he’s done well with it, not only defeating fighters like Derry Mathews and Darleys Perez, but stopping them. He has a higher KO ratio than you sometimes see from those coming out of an Olympic program and has been solid. He’s taking a notable step up here though.

What can fans expect?

This should be a good technical fight, as both men are smart fighters that bring a certain level to the ring. But it’s also a matcg-up that really favors Linares. Campbell does best when he can outwork his opponents, using either speed or technical superiority to slow them down. He won’t have those advantages here. If Campbell tries to make it more of a brawl, Linares showed in the Crolla fights that he has the resilience to succeed there as well. There’s not a great avenue to a Campbell win here honestly.
Prediction: Jorge Linares, UD

Who should watch?

It’s not the most thrilling fight in the world, but it’s solid enough, and the two styles should mesh well to put on a fun fight. With no UFC on, this one is worth your time. Plus you can tune in early to get all indignant about Canelo vs. GGG again.