23.03.08 – by James Slater: It was a busy night for boxing last night, what with Joel Casamayor beating Michael Katsidis and Andreas Kotelnik defeating Gavin Rees in all-action world title fights. Somewhat lost in the shuffle, however, was a fine win scored by British fighter Matthew Macklin, who, last night at The National Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, out pointed Mexican veteran Yori Boy Campas over ten rounds..
The 25-year-old Macklin, who lost a brutal British title fight down at light-middleweight with Jamie Moore back in September of 2006, has now won four in a row since his only career stoppage loss. Macklin was much faster than the durable but plodding Campas, and won via a workmanlike performance that saw him edge in front by a 98-95 score. Campas, a veteran of over one hundred pro fights, is not stopped too often, so there was nothing wrong with Macklin having to go the full route to get the win.
Macklin remains a good middleweight prospect (he is clearly much stronger up at 160 pounds, as opposed to the 154 he lost to Moore at) and it will be interesting to see where he goes next. Matthew, who has Irish parents yet hails from Birmingham, seems to enjoy boxing in Ireland – with his last three bouts having taken place there. A hard trainer who is both disciplined and talented, a major title – of a domestic nature first – may well be in the 25-year-old’s future. His confidence back now after being stopped in round number ten of the war with Moore, Macklin will surely be chomping at the bit to prove himself at a higher level.
The win over the still capable Campas is a decent scalp for Matthew, and the win also served as a good learning experience. The Mexican also took that other Irish hope, John Duddy, to the final bell in a twelve rounder a couple of years ago, and Yori Boy has also been in with all-time greats, Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. Last night’s experience, then, was surely a good one for the always keen to improve Macklin.
With the win last night, Macklin improved his record to 21-2(16) Campas now has a still respectable 91-12(73). At age 36, time is certainly catching up with Yori Boy, but something tells me the tough old guy will continue making himself some money as a high quality trial horse for some months yet. As for Macklin, the future awaits with open arms.