Having already garnered an enthusiastic following after just six fights, Rowan Campbell will take an important step in his fledgling career when he contests the IBO Youth title at Emperors Palace on June 23.
The unbeaten super-middleweight will fight Andrii Velykovskiy of Ukraine (10-2), a youngster who has packed in a lot of action since turning pro in 2015.
Explaining his decision to throw Campbell in early, promoter Rodney Berman said: “He’s done all that’s been asked of him so far. The youth title is designed to inspire youngsters like Rowan. He’s capable of doing very well, so we’re giving him a crack against a reasonably tough guy. These East Europeans come with tons of amateur experience and don’t easily give up.”
It figures to be a solid gut-check for Campbell, who last week saw off former SA title challenger Masixole Botile with the minimum of fuss after Botile was injured in the second.
The Peter Smith-trained fighter hasn’t been unduly extended since turning pro in 2016, but this will be his first 12-rounder, against a durable opponent to boot.
