Developing Campbell hopes for a test of his endurance

The Olympic bantamweight champion makes his third appearance in the professional ranks at Hull Ice Arena on Saturday when he meets Lee Connolly.

Campbell knocked out Andy Harris inside 90 seconds of his debut bout at Hull’s Craven Park in July, and then went back down to the capital to win his second fight in the first round last month.

Four weeks later, though, and for the purposes of entertainment and his own development, Campbell is hoping Saturday’s lightweight contest, with a fighter who has a record of two wins from seven bouts, lasts significantly longer.

“I do want more rounds and I will definitely be looking for that on Saturday,” said the 26-year-old. “I’m sure I’ll get a good test against Connolly and that’s good because people can then see more of my skills and more of what I am about. But if it goes only one round then that’s boxing.

“I landed a great shot in my last fight in London which ended the contest but I am always prepared to go the full distance.”

Campbell’s goal is to eventually fight for a world title and he knows to get to that level he needs to test his endurance as much as his skills.

“It’s early days in my career and I’m in no rush,” he said.

“I am young and healthy and hopefully I’m in this for the long term. I’m taking one fight at a time and learning from each one.

“With every fight I will progress a little bit and move onto the next one.

“My body is changing shape as I’m doing a lot more rounds in sparring, where I’m trying to be a lot cooler and calmer. The only competition I have is with myself.

“I want to be better than I was last week so that’s my competition, beating me. It’s a competition against yourself.”

Sheffield’s Richard Towers fights Lucas Browne in an eliminator for the Commonwealth heavyweight title.