Friday 20 April 2018 14:32, UK
Ahead of Sean Dodd's Commonwealth title clash with Tommy Coyle, we asked former champion Derry Mathews to list the best homegrown lightweights.
The two domestic rivals collide on the undercard for Amir Khan's comeback clash with Phil Lo Greco in Liverpool this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Dodd makes the second defence of his Commonwealth title against Coyle, a fighter who was defeated by Mathews, and we asked the Liverpudlian for his verdict on whether the pairing belong among Britain's top lightweights.
See who else makes the list as Mathews ranks the current crop of 135lb fighters from these shores...
Campbell is No 1 for me, without a doubt, as he's in the elite category at the moment. You don't win an Olympic medal if you're not good.
Two more rounds of his last fight and I think Luke would have been a world champion. Only the knockdown swayed it towards Jorge Linares. The way he came back in the fight, he was outstanding. Luke is a world-class fighter and he proved that last time out.
The likes of Crolla and Campbell, to me they are world-rated fighters, but on Crolla's last performance, it's hard to judge. I think he can get another world title fight. His name is already there, he's established, he's a big ticket-seller in Manchester, where he's got a great fanbase and that always helps.
I would like to see him box Campbell, maybe in a final eliminator for a world title. That would be a great fight.
I think he's the real deal, if I'm honest. He's the best at British level, for me. He's a natural puncher, he's a big kid, and by the looks of it - he's got a good team behind him. Joe Murray and Scotty Cardle, two very good fighters, but he dismantled them with ease for me.
I think he'll be a fans' favourite, the way he fights, and the way he is after it. There's no showboating about him, just grit and determination, and that's what boxing fans love. One more defence of the British title and surely he'll be knocking on the door for a European title fight. Go to European and then you never know, a world title shot?
I would say that 'Masher' and Tommy Coyle should be joint at the same level. When they box each other, then we'll be able to decide where they are in the rankings.
Every time he's stepped up, he's raised his game, so 'Masher' deserves a lot of credit.
Who do I think is going to win? Tommy Coyle is my pal, and a good pal, but I'm going with 'Masher' Dodd. He just finds a way to win fights. Tom Stalker should have beaten him with one hand, but he finds a way, and you cannot fault him.
Every time he's stepped up, he's raised his game, so 'Masher' deserves a lot of credit. I think 'Masher' will be happy at British level for a long time, because there are some great fights out there for him.
The likes of Joe Cordina, they are going to come through as the next generation. Maybe in the next 18 months, we'll be able to talk about them, but anyone else I wouldn't rate highly.
I think Scotty Cardle used the wrong tactics against Ritson. He went for it and Ritson is a massive puncher. I wouldn't classify Ricky Burns as a lightweight, he's huge for the weight.
I'm tempted, because right now the lightweight division is wide open. It's one of the best divisions in the country. I'm on the verge of making a comeback at lightweight, because there is no way in the world that I was big enough for 10st.
I used to balloon up between fights, but being a personal trainer and being in the gym full-time, I'm lighter now. For the last bout, I had to eat on the day of the weigh-in to make 10st.
I'm just under 11st now, so I'm not too far away, and I have not been retired for long. I train every day anyway. I love the sport, love being involved in boxing. Would I fight again? I would. But it would have to be for the right purpose. It would have to mean something. At this moment, I'm happy being a coach.
Watch Sean 'Masher' Dodd vs Tommy Coyle, on the Khan vs Lo Greco undercard, from Liverpool, live on Saturday, April 21, on Sky Sports Main Event & Action, from 7.00pm.
