Shane McGuigan links up with Olympic Gold Medallist
Irish trainer Shane McGuigan has added an Olympic gold medallist to his stable of fighters.
The London-based coach has linked up with recent world title challenger Luke Campbell [18(15)-2(0)].
Hull’s Campbell, who defeated Ireland’s John Joe Nevin in the 2012 Olympic final, has relocated back to England to join up with McGuigan.
Following a shock loss to Yvan Mendy at the end of 2015, Campbell relocated to Florida to join Cuban coach Jorge Rubio and rebuilt to world title level.
Last September he challenged WBA lightweight champ Jorge Linares in California, surprising many by pushing the Venezuelan hard, climbing off the canvas but eventually being defeated on a split-decision.
Linares subsequently lost his 135lbs belt to Ukrainian star Vasyl Lomachenko while the WBO title is held by Ray Beltran and Mikey Garcia owns both the WBC and IBF straps.
Campbell, who returned from the Linares loss with an easy win over former Cyclone fighter Troy James in May, is currently ranked #2 with the WBC and #5 with the WBA.
The Humber boxer is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn – who share something of an acrimonious relationships with Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan, Shane’s father, who heads Cyclone Promotions.
29-year-old McGuigan said that he was “delighted to welcome Olympic Gold medalist Luke Campbell into my stable of fighters.”
“Exciting times ahead and world titles to collect.”
Campbell, one year older than McGuigan, joins WBA super middleweight champ George Groves, Scottish stars Josh Taylor and Lee McGregor, English prospect Chris Billam-Smith, and Katie Taylor rival Chantelle Cameron in the stable.
McGuigan formerly trained a number of Irish fighters including Conrad Cummings, Anthony Cacace, and, most notably, Carl Frampton.
Other fighters that have passed through McGuigan’s Gym include former two-weight champ David Haye, cricket star Freddie Flintoff, and Portsmouth prospect Josh Pritchard who was forced to retire early due to an abnormality found in a brain scan and now acts as McGuigan’s right hand man.
