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Campbell's Fighting Spirit Shines Through

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2008

TAMPA - Much is made of those who work hard to achieve something. They appreciate milestones much more than individuals to whom achievements are handed.

In March, Nate Campbell collected a convincing, split-decision victory against Juan Diaz, separating the 24-year-old Diaz from his IBF, WBA and WBO lightweight belts.

It was a landmark moment engulfed in years of hardships: a tough loss to Joel Casmayor in 2003, a knockout loss to Robbie Peden 13 months later, a stint in jail in 2007 on charges that were later dropped as well as tough times in his home life as a child when his father, Nathaniel Campbell Jr., died on Nate's 10th birthday.

Tonight, Campbell, a longtime Tampa resident, defends his belts against Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) on Showtime.

On the undercard of that fight, Wauchula's Edner Cherry takes on Timothy Bradley for his WBC light welterweight belt. The fight airs live at 9 p.m. on Showtime from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss.

Cherry (24-5-2, 12 KOs) has won his past three fights, including knockouts of Stevie Johnston and Wes Ferguson. Bradley (22-0, 11 KOs) is fresh off a trip to the United Kingdom, where he beat Junior Witter and brought back the WBC light welterweight title.

Despite being addressed as "Champ" by many nowadays, Campbell refuses to let his head rest in the clouds.

"I've been through enough hard times in my life to know that I can overcome anything," said Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs). "Thank God I've been blessed to be where I am and after everything is said and done, I'm just ecstatic to be here. For somebody to get this from me, they have to be willing to put it all out there. I mean all. Every part of their body, their heart, their life, their soul to get what I have. It's mine and I aim to keep it."

Despite Campbell's last fight, when he pushed Diaz around, dictated the pace of the fight, cut Diaz and continually delivered blows, Campbell is a 2-to-1 underdog tonight.

Guzman, 32, enters the fight highly touted, having once held the WBO's super featherweight and super bantamweight titles. He's also labeled as a quick fighter with elusive defensive skills.

"We're ready for whatever Nate is going to bring," Guzman said. "We've prepared well, we've prepared hard and we came here for the victory."

Just as before his last fight, Campbell, 36, has other ideas.

He and his camp had so much faith entering the Diaz fight in March, his promoter, Terry Trekas, flew to Las Vegas to bet on the fight. Campbell won't divulge the winnings, but he did say it allowed for a new car and a house in Jacksonville for him and his wife, Rosa, and their children.

That spirit remains.

"They keep saying Guzman is a slick, savvy fighter, but I see a lot of knots on his face like he gets hit during fights," Campbell said. "So he's not as slick as they make him out to be. Now, I'm just waiting to show everybody he's not as slick as they say he is.

"I believe my game plan is superior."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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