`assassin' Campbell Strikes In Impressive Comeback Fight
Illawarra Mercury
Monday May 3, 2004
HIS timing might have been slightly amiss early in the bout but once Warilla boxer Adrian ``The Assassin" Campbell shook off the ring rust he had little difficulty in beating Fijian journeyman Jamal Kahn in their international welterweight contest at the Fraternity Club on Friday night.
Campbell has been out of the ring for more than two years but had trained hard since January including sparring against world IBF No5 junior middleweight Shannan Taylor in the hope of a state lightweight title shot that fell through last Thursday.
Nevertheless, Campbell focused on his new opponent, went up to a higher division and after a tentative start in round one, increased the intensity level with a hard right cross before getting his left jab on target.
While Campbell was finding his range with his jab, it was a hard, short right to the head that put Kahn down before referee Brian McMahon stepped in to call a halt 37 seconds into round four.
``The number one goal was to make sure I got the job done and I did that," Campbell said.
``The four rounds I did was good but I could have done with a couple more - but I got the job done.
``I was a bit sloppy in the first two but I was catching him all night.
``It was a good comeback fight and probably in view of the big picture better than a title fight.
``I'll definitely be up for the state title. I'll keep training with all the boys and it will be mine."
Dapto's Eddie ``The Physique" Mamo and Guyra's Mick Porter produced a competitive middleweight contest in their professional debuts.
Porter finished the better and referee Craig Waller called a halt 1min 15sec into the fourth and final round.
Wade ``Pit Bull" Clout and Joel ``The Professor" Bourke fought an exhibition that ended in round two when Bourke's eye was cut.
Jacob Agostini, of Crocker's Gym, and Newcastle's Gavyn Lowcock fought a majority draw in their four rounder.
Crocker's Jeffrey Clulow won on points over Guyra's Brendan Beaton in their three-round amateur contest.
The bell tolled 10 as a mark of respect for former leading boxing promoter and sports writer Bill Mordey, whose funeral service was earlier in the day.
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury