Luke Campbell v Tommy Coyle: We look at potential local battles
Thursday 30 July 2015 13:56, UK
Saturday night's Hull showdown will see Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle get up, close and personal.
We are used to British boxers from rival cities squaring up in domestic showdowns.
But this must-win fight kicks off a potential series of scraps between two fighters who live only a few miles apart...
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Luke Campbell v Tommy Coyle
Hull is not the biggest city in Yorkshire but when east meets west it is an intense rivalry that can split it in half. In rugby league Hull FC and Hull KR do exactly that, and now Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle are about to do the same.
Coyle is from the east, Campbell the west and they both boxed at the famous St Paul's ABC, the neutral territory that spawned an Olympic gold medallist. But a local lad is ready to turn the tables and wants to be the one flying the flag on Humberside.
They sparred thousands of rounds as amateurs, shared a room travelling the world and, as friendly as they were, as soon as Campbell labelled Coyle "an acquaintance" any love was long gone.
I felt Luke has been very disrespectful. He says we are just acquaintances.
When Campbell made his professional debut at Craven Park in July 2013 and Coyle lost to then-Commonwealth lightweight champion Derry Mathews, even the locals didn't think think the former St Paul's stars would meet. But as soon as 'Boom-Boom' blew Michael Katsidis away at the Hull Arena last October, he met Campbell in the ring and the deal was done.
I’m excited to be a part of history in Hull. This is a one-off fight that this city will probably never see again.
They did the same up in Manchester a few weeks ago but while they live a few miles apart, their rivalry has become more intense by the day. They were both at the Super League derby between FC and KR, sticking to their sides of the city. The KC Lightstream Stadium, home of Hull KR, is only about 20 minutes from St Paul's and will be where Campbell or Coyle become the city's supremo.
Ricky Boylan v Danny Connor
It doesn't matter what's on the line if two boxers live minutes away. Bragging rights are one thing but local pride will last longer than any belt you walk away with.
Carshalton is not up there with Liverpool and Manchester when it comes to the fighting capitals of the country, but Boylan and 'Cassius' Connor know theirs is a must-win fight. Both have only won one of their last three, so need to kick-start their careers and turn the corner. These two boxed at local rival south London clubs and were even friends, but not any more.
We boxed at rival south London clubs so there is a rivalry there. But on the night I am going to win.
They will get the chance to settle it in the ring but they could well bump into each other long before they meet at the O2 on September 12. Boylan is still a Carshalton boy, Connor lives in Hackbridge, not even a mile away. One thing the local lads will not do – unlike most of today's fighters – is continue any banter on Twitter or Facebook. Boylan's blocked Connor so the build-up will certainly be anti-social.
We grew up together through the years and we were friends but I'm not sure how to say it... I don't like him as a person.
Both men have been involved in local feuds before. Another Carshalton man, Tony Owen, beat Connor in 2013 but lost to Boylan two months later. Bragging rights have moved around the Surrey suburb but, come September, sparks will fly. But not very far.
Anthony Joshua v Dillian Whyte
Heavyweights can reach further than the rest, not just with their arms but also with their appeal and Joshua is leading the way. But add Whyte to the mix and there is a fierce, close rivalry that will hit London hard.
Joshua is from the north, Whyte from the south and if the O2 gives him the shorter journey, the interest will spread far and wide. The unbeaten foes called a brief truce at a Klitschko training camp, but have since reignited their rivalry on social media.
I haven't seen him or spoke to him since. I want to rip his head off to be honest.
Whyte defeated AJ in the amateurs yet the boy from Brixton insists he was happy to see Joshua win that Olympic gold medal. Any mutual respect ended soon after. Words were exchanged, Joshua says some were misconstrued, and all of a sudden, the battle lines were drawn.
My biggest competitor is myself. I'm not worried about Dillian. Anyone who thinks they are going to test me, I will put in their place.
Later this year, the London rivals will get it on and two big men will back up big talk with even bigger punches. An Oyster card is all you need to get there, but a fight ticket will be tougher to find.
Callum Smith v Rocky Fielding
Liverpool is arguably the best fight city the country has and there is a family feel when the stellar names fly the flag for the city. The fighters are all close, in miles more than anything, except Fielding and the Smith siblings. Callum is the brother who will get the chance to settle a Scouse score.
It's a big fight for the city and there's a lot of demand for it because we've both been winning and we're both unbeaten.
Fielding was born and learned his trade in Stockbridge – Rocky from Stocky – some seven miles away from Kirkdale, where the Smith brothers grew up. Callum and co lived over the road from the iconic Rotunda ABC and while he has moved to Aintree, as soon as the British Boxing Board of Control called for them to scrap it out, the gap closed.
It's a fight that will happen. It's a big fight for Liverpool. Me and Callum have both accepted we'll have this fight.
Callum is considered the better prospect but when they both boxed at the Echo Arena earlier this month, Fielding stole the show by blasting Brian Vera away. The Fielding-Smith spat may now be settled with Liverpool looking on and the three brothers at ringside. Blood is thicker than water, even when you're talking about the River Mersey.
James DeGale v George Groves II
There isn't a rivalry in British boxing that runs deeper than DeGale v Groves. It goes beyond competition, yet with both hailing from west London, it is even closer to the core than most.
Six miles separates Harlesden's DeGale and west London's Groves, who both started out at Dale Youth ABC, the middle ground in more ways than one. They sparred umpteen rounds together but grew further apart fight by fight, not least when Groves beat DeGale in the ABAs.
Our rivalry goes back, it's not a made-up rivalry. It's serious - we don't like each other.
DeGale went off to Beijing to win an Olympic gold medal but, by the time they had both turned professional, their paths crossed again. Their fight at the O2 in May 2011 was even closer than even they imagined but Groves won again. There wasn't a handshake, just more words.
If it's marketed right, if it's billed right and if the timing is right, it will be as big as my fight with Froch at Wembley.
Groves stayed local but lost at Wembley Stadium to Carl Froch. When he and DeGale found themselves on the same Liverpool bill, their families clashed backstage at the weigh-in to remind us how the battle goes beyond the ring. 'Chunky' headed Stateside to win a world title against Andre Dirrell and urged Groves to do the same against Badou Jack so that second grudge match can be made. The O2 again? Wembley? London is definitely calling.
