Luke Campbell insists the pressure is off in Jorge Linares title fight

Luke Campbell celebrates victory over Derry Mathews for the WBC Silver Lightweight Championship at the Echo Arena, Liverpool. (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

HULL'S golden boy Luke Campbell insists the pressure is off heading into his huge lightweight showdown with Venezuelan champion Jorge Linares in Los Angeles this weekend.

Campbell, 29, makes his maiden bid for world honours in the professional ranks after a stellar amateur career that saw him win Olympic gold in 2012.

The Hull southpaw will be vying for the WBC Diamond, WBA, and Ring Magazine titles.

Campbell insists the pressure is on the highly-regarded champion, who has won 42 of his 45 fights as a pro.

“All the pressure is on Jorge and I am so confident I am going to leave with all three belts,” said Campbell.

“I have tremendous respect for Jorge and this is going to be an unbelievable fight but this is the opportunity I have been waiting for as a professional and I must and will take it.”

Campbell has won 17 of his 18 fights, bouncing back in style from his solitary defeat to Yvan Mendy in 2015 with five wins on the bounce.

Campbell, who stopped Darleys Perez in the ninth round of their fight at Wembley Stadium to set up his shot at the king of the lightweight division, insists the enormity of the occasion and the prize on the line won’t get to him.

“This is why I turned professional, for big nights like this to test myself,” added Campbell.

“I’ve had a great camp, preparation has been spot on.

“We’ve worked hard and we’ve worked smart. I’m physically and mentally ready for this, I believe in my own ability.

“He’s strong and durable with plenty of experience but this is my time. It would be incredible to bring home the world title.

“I’ve made history in Hull before, a couple of times as an amateur so let’s go for it again.

“Fighting on such a big stage doesn’t change the preparation. Motivation is a massive thing.

“It’s a fantastic way to introduce myself to the American market and this is my opportunity to show what I’ve got.”

Linares, who has already beaten Kevin Mitchell and later Anthony Crolla on two occasions on British soil, isn’t taking the challenge of Campbell lightly.

“Luke Campbell is a young hungry fighter, and that can be a critical difference in the ring,” Linares said.

“Being a former Olympic fighter, the big lights and cameras won’t scare him off and neither does being the ‘underdog.

“This is a great fight for me, I am the first Venezuelan boxer to headline an HBO show and it is a huge privilege.”

“I hope that with this fight, I leave a big enough impression.”