'I'm glad I made Hull proud': Luke Campbell on his Olympic gold medal win
Luke Campbell promised his son Leo he would bring home an Olympic gold medal - and he didn't disappoint. James Campbell spoke to him after his momentous victory.
HIS dream was always to bring back gold to his son and his city.
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Luke Campbell with his Olympic gold medal
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Family man: Left, Luke Campbell with his mum Jill and fiancée Lynsey Kraanen after winning the gold medal.
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You did it! Hull boxer Luke Campbell celebrates with his family and supporters after winning his Olympic gold medal at the Excel Centre in London.
Today, Olympic champion Luke Campbell returns home to present his gold medal to his two-year-old son Leo.
Luke, 24, is the pride of Hull as the city celebrates the achievements of a boy from Hessle Road who realised his dreams of Olympic glory.
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And he is still coming to terms with the magnitude of his achievements, which will inspire a generation of young people.
Draped in the Union Flag, watched by around 30 members of his family, including his mum Jill and fiancée Lynsey Kraanen, Luke said: "I can't believe it, I really can't. I appreciate all the support here and at home in Hull.
"This is a day I've dreamt of for a long time and to actually be here and have achieved it, I'm lost for words.
"It means everything to my family and my city and I'm glad I've been able to make them proud of me."
Luke told how he kept his head as the pressure mounted throughout the three-round fight with Irish fighter John Joe Nevin.
"My plan was to let my punches flow and listen to my coaches," he said. "I just had to carry on with what I was doing and not be silly."
Luke has battled back to the very top of his sport, becoming the world's best bantamweight boxer, after his career hung by a thread just three years ago.
"It was a real low point for me in 2009," he said. "I'd had my best year in 2008 then the system changed and different coaches came in, and the whole of 2009 was a misery for me.
"You could say, at one point, I was looking to get out of there. I didn't want to box any more because I didn't like that environment.
"Then Rob McCracken came in and changed the system and I felt very confident under the new team.
"I'd been to the worst place in my career and after that, what else was I afraid of?
"I went out there and enjoyed what I was doing.
"I had 23 unbeaten fights in a row, I got better and better and I got myself here today."
The young boxer, who has captured the hearts of the British public with his down-to-earth and likeable nature, is still trying to find the words to explain what his victory means.
"I'm overwhelmed by it all, it seems a bit of a blur," he said. "It's everything I've ever worked for. I've achieved my goal, I'm speechless.
"It's a moment I've dreamed about most of my life, daydreamed about, visualised. All the hard work and dedication was all for the Olympic Games, and to achieve a gold medal is fantastic, the best of the best.
"The support I've had is just fantastic – from Great Britain and from my home town, Hull. There is brilliant support there. I'm so, so happy."
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• Luke Campbell profile: the road to Olympic glory
Luke vowed to bring the gold medal back for his son Leo.
Lynsey, who is six months' pregnant with their second child, admits Luke is already a hero to Leo.
She said: "Since Leo was born, Luke has never lost a fight. He is always a winner to Leo. He never stops saying 'Daddy's a winner'.
"Luke has been a hero for Leo from the day he was born.
"Luke is really looking forward to seeing his son again. He promised to bring back the gold and that is exactly what he has done."
Lynsey is still coming to terms with Luke's achievement.
She said: "There is no words to explain how I feel. I think Luke's face said it all.
"He has fulfilled beyond his dream. He has done everything he could do and more.
"It's hard looking back on Saturday. One second I was so happy and the next I was in floods of tears.
"It is only beginning to sink in now.
"About 10,000 people had watched the fight at Hyde Park and people recognised us.
"We were on the tube and people began chanting 'Luke's mum'."
The support from the city has helped spur Luke on.
Lynsey said: "Luke knows everyone in Hull is behind him, but he hasn't been able to experience it.
"It will be an amazing experience on Tuesday when everyone comes together to give him the welcome he deserves.
"We want to thank everyone back home for their support."
Luke will take time out to decide on his future.
Lynsey said: "I think everyone is asking if Luke will turn professional but I don't think he even knows yet.
"The world is his oyster and, whatever he decides, we will be 100 per cent behind him."
Luke's mum Jill believes Luke will take heart from the support he has received from the city.
She said: "The amount of support from the people of Hull has been phenomenal. We are amazed at the number of texts and e-mails we've received.
"Luke doesn't realise the extent of the support and he will be overwhelmed when he returns.
"Luke will never forget where he came from."
The family are continuing to celebrate Luke's superb victory.
Jill said: "We are still on cloud nine. It's fantastic.
"We were sure he had won but you can never take anything for granted.
"I woke up the morning after laughing. I wasn't sure if I was still asleep.
"We didn't see much of him yesterday because he was doing lots of interviews.
"We will have lots of time with Luke when he comes back home.
He just needs to soak all this up, it is something that will never be repeated.
"What makes it more special is that Luke has secured his dream and not many people can say that."
Comments
by PaulJJohnson
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 4:19PM
“@RiggersHull: Thank you for your comment. In reply, we would like to point out that this advert was booked by the National Lottery across ALL national and regional newspapers in the country and was not designed by the Mail. It had been drawn up before Luke fought in his final. The Mail, which has followed and reported on Luke's career from his junior days onwards, is extremely proud of his achievements, as is reflected in our coverage and our poster front page on Monday. Friday's Mail will include a special 16-page souvenir supplement on Luke's remarkable achievement.”
by pedelrebel
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 12:59AM
“GPH315
My comment on the BBC was (but on the WHOLE they got it spot on) yes there was a crass remark but an apology was issued soon after. But it does not get away from fact you have a very sad inferiority complex, (calling me a Muppet proves it. te he) Nora and Neville Numptie with Plummie accents are no better than you kid. The Olympic games brings together people from all walks of life from both sides of the tracks. As to how little air time has been given to such as Nicola Adams, not only was she filmed being taken to the Savoy hotel yesterday, she was also on breakfast tv this morn and on the One show tonight. Perhaps she might make you happy and turn up on Coronation St. Yes our fare City has had some knocks and adversity in the past but we always get up, brush ourselves down and just get on with it. All you need is a backbone, maybe some gumption. Try it GP, it costs nowt.”
by GPH315
Monday, August 13 2012, 10:45PM
“pedelrebel
What an absolute ****** you are! I dont have any problem with my accent and I am proud to be from Hull. There is no where in my comments that suggest otherwise. I dont do soaps or BB *****. In work in my spare time with disabled children and sport with children. I believe in all, getting an equal share, opportunities and recognition irrespetive of ability, social background or race.
As for the BBC getting spot; I suppose the BBC stating Lukes mother and sister were dead was spot on was it? Muppet.”
by CReader
Monday, August 13 2012, 10:44PM
“Well done Luke!! We, the people of your city are very proud of your achievement. The BBC gave all its' airtime to a certain little camp guy who did rubbish in the diving (!!) but you won fair and square. GOLD!!!”
by zziplex1
Monday, August 13 2012, 7:42PM
“Well done Luke,you have done a this great city of ours proud!!.”
by RiggersHull
Monday, August 13 2012, 5:55PM
“Why has the Hull Daily Mail today printed a full page ad from the National Lottery depicting Olymnpic Gold Medalists and missing off Luke Campbell? Absolute insult to Luke and this city by our own newspaper.”
by FC_ON_THE_UP
Monday, August 13 2012, 5:31PM
“What i like about Luke is that he's grounded, no edge to him or arrogance, always remembers his roots and a devoted family man. An absolute inspiration to other young boxers from Hull that dedication and hard work can pay off. Well done Luke, the whole of Hull is so proud of you and what you've achieved, you deserve every success in the future, which is certain you will be.
And, you have great taste in rugby teams !!”
by Yrksman
Monday, August 13 2012, 4:57PM
“So proud of Luke Campbell!!! I left Hull with my family aged 9 in 1961 and have never managed to get back to live. However, I still breathe a sigh of relief when I park my car on Boothferry Road and head to the KC. My father was from eastern Europe and settled in Hull because it was so friendly. Football players don't like leaving, Richard Garcia tweeted as such just a few days ago, and many end up staying permanently. It's a great place to be proud of coming from and to return to. I just wish I could be there tomorrow night.”
by Chip_Buttie
Monday, August 13 2012, 12:21PM
“Luke you did GREAT! And I loved the honesty and sincerity in all your interviews. You are a super ambassador for your sport and Hull! Many Congratulations to you and your family.
Now lock your medal away in the Bank vault so its safe - and have a great holiday!
Enjoy the moment and all the best for the future.”
by TonyM
Monday, August 13 2012, 12:16PM
“Snothillbaz and GPH315, agree with both your comments. Part of the problem sometimes, is that we don't express our confidence in our city enough, so it was excellent to see Luke give a shout out to Hull even during the closing ceremony. The fact is that unlike other cities, Hull gets very little credit or help from anywhere, governments particularly. Any success we get, we have usually had to work bloody hard for. We do however have a tendency in Hull to be a bit too humble. Could be a lack of confidence as a result of the verbal batterings we have had over the years. Even Nick Barmby was encouraging his players to be humble. What we need to come out of Luke Campbell's success, is a confidence in the city, that we can stand on a world stage, as happened after City's promotion. I have heard comments recently from new visitors to Hull saying how "pretty" Hull is. Who would have thought it? Luke stayed focussed, listened to the good advice he was given and worked hard. That is the recipe for success for our young people. We need to ensure the survival of the iconic St Paul's gym (although we might want to rename it, or build a Luke Campbell centre in recognition). Luke Campbell is a great ambassador for Hull, and we should make the most of the opportunities he might be able to bring to the city. We live in a great city, and the majority of the people in it are some of the best on the planet. We need to blow our own trumpet more. Most of us are proud of our city, and all we need to do now, is let the rest of the world know.”