Former undisputed lightweight world champion Nate Campbell is no stranger to being the underdog. Like his fights with other young, undefeated prospects such as Juan Diaz and Kid Diamond, Campbell was supposed to be a stepping-stone for them to become the next superstars in the sport. Only problem was Campbell had other plans and the Jacksonville, Florida native showed the boxing world you can never count him out. On August 1st, Campbell is back in that familiar role against undefeated WBO world champion Tim Bradley. Does that both Campbell? Not at all. He has proved critics wrong before and plans to do it again next weekend.
While preparing for his showdown with Bradley, Nate and company from the Contenders Gym in Ft. Lauderdale have set up training camp in Key West, FL. Earlier this week, Campbell took time out to talk to 8 Count News.
8CN: Thanks for taking time out Nate, How is training camp going?
NC: It is tough, but it’s going good. It is a lot hotter training down here in Key West than it is up in Ft. Lauderdale.
8CN: Before we talk about your WBO title fight against Tim Bradley on August 1st, some of the fighters you have signed to your management company are fighting this weekend in Tampa. Tell us a little bit about these guys.
NC: Today I was sparring with one of them, Raymond Charles. He is a 10-0 welterweight from Texas. I also have the Willis brothers, Marcus and Quinton from Ft. Myers, Fl. I had them down here too as sparring partners. I have a lightweight Cordaro Simpkins, who will be making his pro debut and middleweight Kenneth Moody Jr. from Virginia. All five of them are very good prospects
8CN: What made you decide to manage fighters?
NC: I’ve been screwed over before. I understand how bad boxing can be. If you are not represented properly, there are guys out there that will take advantage of you. I don’t want to have any of these kids turned into opponents, when they can have the chance to be something different.
8CN: What did these fighters have that made you decide to sign them?
NC: I’ve known the Willis brothers since they was kids coming up through the Junior Olympics. Their father always took the time to help them and other kids like Derrick Wilson. I knew they had good stuff and they were a lock. Cordero Simpkins and Kenneth Moody Jr. are both guys that contacted me on the internet and I drove up to Virginia to spar with both of them and signed them. Same with Raymond Charles; he hit me up on the internet and I flew him down to Tampa. I sparred with him and that was that.
8CN: August 1st is the big fight between Bradley and you. What are your thoughts about the fight?
NC: I expect to win. Right now I am just working on fine tuning the basics. Tim Bradley is gonna do what Tim Bradley is gonna do and I’m gonna do what I’m gonna do. These young fighters now though aren’t built the same like fighters like me. He is a spoon fed fighter. He fights who he wants to fight and who his people want him to fight. He turned down a fight with Randall Bailey. Instead of going through the front door and fighting the best, he went through the back door and took the easy way to get here. But I guarantee it isn’t going to be easy for him coming August 1st. Nobody gives me a chance in this fight and they say I’m and old man. It isn’t the first time either, but I’ll prove them all wrong again.
8CN: Speaking of Randall Bailey, he is fighting August 28th for the IBF Light welterweight title. I know you both are good friends and are in camp together with John David Jackson. Is there a possibility of a showdown between you two in the future?
NC: We have talked about it. If the money is right we would fight, but we both have to worry about fights we got coming up first. If the time came that we would do it, John David told us he wouldn’t train either of us for the fight.
8CN: Any last comments Nate?
NC: Thanks to everyone who supports me. If you are in the Tampa area, check these kids out this Saturday. Go to Onepunch.net for more info. It is going to be a great night of fighting.
