Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Boxing and mental health
Britain's Luke Campbell with his Men's Boxing Bantam 56kg gold medal at the ExCeL Centre, London, in 2012

LUKE CAMPBELL’S recently announced ring retirement is one you just know will not give way to any kind of attempt at a comeback somewhere down the line. This proud son of Hull and 2012 London Olympic gold medallist has always kept his feet squarely planted on terra firma, representing himself and the sport throughout his career with rare class.

Britain’s Golden Boy was similar to the United States original, Oscar De La Hoya, in being an Olympic champion with the features of your average male model. But that’s where the similarities end. In terms of lifestyle and outlook, Campbell is cut from an entirely different cloth.

Unlike his US counterpart — who unconscionably intends returning to the ring at the age of 48 in September — this father of three young boys never sought the limelight and never strayed far from his East Yorkshire roots. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Algeria�s Imane Khelif (left) in action against Thailand�s Janjaem Suwannapheng during the Women�s 66kg Semi-Final at Roland-Garros Stadium on the Eleventh day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Tuesday August 6, 2024
Boxing / 4 July 2025
4 July 2025

The Khelif gender row shows no sign of being resolved to the satisfaction of anyone involved anytime soon, says boxing writer JOHN WIGHT

Dave
Men’s boxing / 11 April 2025
11 April 2025
JOHN WIGHT takes us on a journey back to a decade defined by union power, pop stars, and gritty football icons - no boxer embodied the heart and soul of 1970s Britain quite like Dave Boy Green
Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano pose for photos durin
Women’s boxing / 10 April 2025
10 April 2025
John H. Stracey (right) who is to defend his European welter
Men’s boxing / 14 March 2025
14 March 2025
JOHN WIGHT writes about the fascinating folklore surrounding the place which has been home to some of the most ferocious bareknuckle and unlicensed fighters throughout history