‘Cool Hand’ gets a warm reception at the Premier Suite

Images: Mkuu Amani

It was a night to savour as Luke Campbell MBE recalled some of his foremost memories at the ever-popular Premier Suite on Thursday.

Fight fans from across the region gathered at the venue and gave the charismatic young boxer, making his first visit to Cannock, a warm reception.

It was a fitting greeting for the boxer who, just two months ago, took the WBC and WBO World Lightweight Champion and WBA Super Lightweight Champion, Vasiliy Lomachenko, the full 12 round distance at the O2 Arena.

Despite losing on points that night Campbell performed so impressively that many fight fans see him as a guaranteed future world champion.

This year Bar Sports and the Premier Suite is celebrating its 21st birthday.

The venue is known worldwide for its hosting of high profile events.

Although many of its guests have been boxing legends such as Marvin Marvellous Hagler, Gerry ‘Gentleman’ Cooney, Nigel Benn and Barry McGuigan other sporting celebrities such as Paul Gascoigne and Pele have also attended.

Campbell was joined on stage by the former British, Commonwealth and IBF World Cruiserweight Champion Glenn McCrory.

Alongside McCrory sat former World Super Middleweight Champion Richie Woodhall, Walsall’s highly regarded former heavyweight turned boxing promoter Ron Gray and the venue’s owner, Scott Murray.

Also joining them was the excellent comedian, John Lorrie.

The tales of passion and pain that inevitably form a part of any aspiring boxer’s quest for success and which Campbell made clear that he also was no stranger to, were not lost on the fight fans that had gathered to listen to the Olympic Gold medallist.

Recounting his boxing roots, his first contests, the value of his father’s advice during his teenage years, his beginnings as a junior amateur and transition into the senior amateur class, representing England and ultimately turning professional, the young boxer proved himself as articulate as he is wonderfully talented.

For an audience that included many young boxers from some of the Midlands region’s boxing clubs (including Wolverhampton Boxing Club, Pleck ABC, Willenhall Boxing Club and Walsall Wood ABC) the value of Campbell’s shared learning and experience was there for all to see.

Walsall’s Former Midlands Area Lightweight Champion Peter Till and former World Super Middleweight Champion Richie Woodhall.

Glenn McCrory introduces the guest of honour, Luke Campbell MBE to the audience.

Offering advice to the young amateur boxers listening, Campbell said, “I guess it’s never a straightforward road and I think you only know what you’re made of when the chips are down.

“Just stay focused. Keep pushing forward and keep believing in yourself.”

Although no date or opponent has been announced yet Campbell is looking forward to fighting again soon and is targeting world championship glory.

He may or may not fulfil his World Title aspiration but regardless of what happens the celebrated fighter from Hull can rest assured that he’s already achieved enough to carve his name, well and truly, into the history books.