Linares vs Campbell: Kell Brook and James DeGale recall winning world titles in the USA

Luke Campbell can become the latest British boxer to win a world title on American soil when he takes on WBA world lightweight holder, Jorge Linares, in Inglewood, California, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Lloyd Honeyghan did it over 30 years ago, Lennox Lewis succeeded almost 25 years ago and Darren Barker managed the feat in 2013, but will the Hull southpaw do the same?

Current fighters Kell Brook and James DeGale also won across the pond, so we asked them to recall their trans-Atlantic trip and how they see Campbell coping with it…

Kell Brook

Brook had worked his way to the top of the IBF welterweight rankings in style, but was kept waiting until August 16, 2014. American Shawn Porter was the champion, the StubHub Center, Carson, California, the venue with a majority decision the outcome…

I’d boxed on the undercard of Andre Ward and Carl Froch, which helped, but going out to Carson, to Porter’s backyard, was different.

I was just used to fighting in familiar places, people had familiar accents but as soon as I got there, it was strange. I got used to it, but it is those small things you notice. Once you have ticked that first box and are used to it all, it’s not a problem.

Normally when I am getting on a plane I was either going out to train or going on holiday, but this time I was going to fight. Doing that in America was just a different feel.

But once I was in that dressing room, looking out at the ring, you know everybody speaks the same languge – boxing. What I know now, is if you can fight, you can fight. I’d fight on another planet.

James DeGale

DeGale had to travel to Boston to take on Andre Dirrell for the vacant IBF super-middleweight title in May 2015. ‘Chunky’ floored the American in the second round and even though he had to go to the scorecards, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist made history by adding a professional title to his name…

I’d obviously been there before but I knew I had to have my family around me, people who I loved and who cared for me. They were all there and I needed looking after.

I remember feeling a little bit of extra pressure, though. Maybe because the title was vacant and I wasn’t the challenger but I did know it was a chance I couldn’t let slip because I was too good. No one was going to give it to me voluntarily.

Out in America, you want to start making your name. If you want to be a worldwide star, you want to put on good performances out there.

One thing stood out though: history was going to be made. Andre Dirrell was a very, very good fighter, but I kept saying it and I knew it was my destiny, to become a world champion.

Watch Luke Campbell challenge for Jorge Linares’ world title, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sport Action, from 3am on Sunday.

(c) Sky News 2017: Linares vs Campbell: Kell Brook and James DeGale recall winning world titles in the USA