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Luke Campbell. Patrick Semansky/AP/Press Association Images

Irish boxing final just super for GB gold hope Campbell

Campbell is the first male British boxer to reach an Olympic final in London. And it’s next up a man from Mullingar.

BRITAIN’S LUKE CAMPBELL said he is relishing taking on John Joe Nevin in the bantamweight Olympic final after the Irish boxer’s shock win over Cuban world champion Lazaro Alvarez today.

Nevin, 23, earned a 19-14 semi-final win over Alvarez to book his berth in tomorrow’s final where he faces Campbell, who was comfortable in his 20-11 victory over Japan’s Satoshi Shimizu at London’s ExCel Arena.

“It will be great to have a GB verses Ireland final. He’s done great, I’ve done great,” said Campbell, who beat Nevin only on count-back in the semi-finals at last year’s world championships.

“It’s all about what happens on the day now and performing well in the ring. It’s all about the gold medal, but I am proud of what I have achieved so far. You face lots of styles and you have to adapt to beat them all.

Nevin was delighted with his win over the 21-year-old world champion Alvarez.

“I am over the moon. I always said I am up there with the best of the world. I am getting better as I go along,” said Nevin. ”I just believed I could beat the best in the world. The script was already written but I’ve re-written it.”

Campbell is the first male British boxer to reach an Olympic final in London after compatriot Nicola Adams won the women’s flyweight gold medal yesterday.

- © AFP, 2012

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