OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Campbell cruises into Olympic bantamweight boxing final

By Sean-Paul Doran, Sportsbeat, London 2012

GREAT Britain boxer Luke Campbell admitted he was lost for words after booking his place in the London 2012 bantamweight final.

GOLDEN GAME: Luke Campbell shines in ring to seal chance for Olympic glory on home soil

The former European champion sailed through his semi-final clash against Japan’s Satoshi Shimizu with a convincing 20-11 win at the ExCel and battles Ireland’s John Joe Nevin for gold tomorrow.

And after setting up the Anglo-Irish Olympic showpiece, Campbell admitted that he is more than happy to take an Olympic medal as a reward for his efforts.

He said: “I can't believe it. It is everything I have ever dreamed of. It is the best high you can feel ever because you have worked hard for it. I am lost for words.

“It's about winning the gold medal, but I am very proud of what I have done so far and I'm happy to make my family proud and my little lad and my local town of Hull.”

Campbell made a strong start to win the first two rounds 5-2 and 6-4 before a blistering final round saw the Brit outscore Shimizu 9-5 to seal the win in style.

And the 24-year-old world championship silver medallist admitted he will need to be at his best to claim the gold medal against Nevin, who defeated world champion Lazaro Alvarez Estrada of Cuba 19-14 in the earlier semi-final.

“There is definitely still more to come from me. That's been the case for me in this tournament. They are all different styles you are being confronted with and you have got to adapt to people,” said Campbell.

“I need to fight every round, be focused and sharp. You can't switch off at this level. Nevin is a top fighter and it's going to be a great final.

“I think it is going to be a close fight. It is a brilliant crowd out there and they will be cheering us both on. I said at the beginning that it would be great to have me and Nevin in the final and here we are.”

© Sportsbeat 2012