Nate Campbell


Nathaniel "Nate" Campbell III is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2000 to 2014, and currently works as a TV host and gym owner of Galaxxy Boxing Refuge. In boxing he held the unified WBA (Undisputed), IBF and WBO lightweight titles from 2008 to 2009, as well as having challenged for the IBF super featherweight title in 2005 and the WBO junior welterweight title in 2009.

Professional career

Early years at lightweight

Campbell turned professional in 2000 in Tallahassee and quickly stormed through his opponents. He won his first 23 fights, setting up a bout with cagey veteran Joel Casamayor in 2003.

Super featherweight

Casamayor won a unanimous decision, but many commentators, including those for HBO, believed that Campbell had fought a much closer match then what the scorecards indicated. Some commentators even stated that Campbell had won that closely fought match.
After that bout Campbell slipped into obscurity after two defeats to Robbie Peden and a loss to Francisco Lorenzo. In the first loss to Peden, Campbell appeared to drop his hands to taunt his opponent and was promptly knocked out. After these fights, many in the boxing world believed that Nate Campbell's boxing days were over.

Return to lightweight

Nonetheless, Campbell stormed back on the scene in 2005 with a big win over undefeated prospect Almazbek "Kid Diamond" Raiymkulov. In 2006, he lost a split decision to Isaac Hlatshwayo, but won an IBF title eliminator against Matt Zegan. Instead of a title shot, Campbell's next bout was another eliminator, which he won over Ricky Quiles. After knocking out Wilson Alcorro, his next bout was a split decision victory over the undefeated Juan Díaz on March 8, 2008, to become the new IBF, WBA, and WBO unified World Lightweight Champion. Campbell was the underdog coming into the fight, as Díaz was considered too strong and too technically sound. But Campbell surprised the boxing world by controlling the tempo of the fight. The first 7 rounds were heavily contested but from the 8th round afterwards, Campbell completely controlled the fight as Diaz's eyes began swelling.
Campbell's first defense of his recently won WBA, WBO and IBF titles was to be against Joan Guzmán who just moved up from the Super Featherweight division. The fight was to take place at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Mississippi, United States on September 13, 2008. But because Guzman weighed in more than 3 pounds above the weight limit, Campbell's titles weren't staked. Unfortunately, due to Guzman being dehydrated after trying to make the weight, the Guzman camp backed out and the fight was cancelled.
On January 10, 2009, Campbell vacated his WBA lightweight title because of concerns regarding sanctioning fees and proposed mandatory defenses.
Just as Guzman had trouble making weight, Campbell experienced a similar problem as he was supposed to defend his IBF and WBO lightweight crowns against Ali Funeka on February 14, 2009. On weigh-in, however, Campbell was more than 2 pounds over the weight limit. As a result, he was removed of both titles. The fight still went on as scheduled, Funeka could have claimed the IBF and WBO titles with a victory. However, Campbell won a majority decision by the scores of 114-112, 115-111, and 113-113. Despite the win, Campbell was ineligible to regain the titles, which are now vacant. Campbell stated that he will be moving up to the 140 pound junior welterweight division after the bout.

Light welterweight

On August 1, 2009, Campbell took on 140 lbs. titlist Timothy Bradley. The Jacksonville native moved up to the light welterweight division after he failed to make the lightweight limit in his last fight against Ali Funeka. The WBO light welterweight title was at stake. The bout was held at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California.
The fight with Bradley only lasted three rounds after Campbell was unable to continue due to an internal eye injury caused by an unintentional headbutt from Bradley. Bradley was initially awarded a TKO victory by California referee David Mendoza. However, a replay showed that the injury was in fact caused by an accidental clash of heads, and should thus be ruled a no decision. Since then, the decision has been overruled to a No Contest after review by the California State Athletic Commission.
In December 2009 Campbell was granted a release from Don King Productions, and signed a new promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Campbell's lead trainer is former world champion John David Jackson, and his business advisor is One Punch Productions.
Campbell fought Victor Ortíz on May 15, 2010, at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The former undisputed champion entered the ring as the underdog and eventually lost the bout by unanimous decision. On November 27, 2010, Campbell lost an eight-round decision on the Juan Manuel Márquez undercard in Las Vegas to Walter Estrada, a journeyman whose record included only three wins over winless fighters in twelve bouts between 2008–2010. On November 29, 2010, Nate Campbell announced his retirement from boxing.

Comeback

On April 21, 2011, Nate came out of retirement to fight unbeaten Danny Garcia, losing a Unanimous Decision.
Nate continued being active fighting a month later, winning against Sherzod Nazarov in an 8-round UD. On September 25, 2011, Campbell lost to Khabib Allakhverdiyev.
On March 24, 2012, Nate won by TKO in 9 rounds in the Dominican Republic against "Mermelada" Cayó.
On April 27, 2013, Campbell was defeated by Briton Terry Flannigan in Sheffield, United Kingdom, when the fight was stopped after 4 Rounds when Campbell pulled out when well behind on the scorecards.

Life after boxing

Campbell is now the gym owner and head coach of his gym, Galaxxy Boxing Refuge, in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. He also is the TV show host of Experience The Galaxxy with Nate Campbell. The show claims to be a politically based show discussing life in the African American Community. The show is streamed live on four platforms: Ustream, YouTube, Periscope and Facebook Live.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
50WinGilbert VenegasUD8Mar 29, 2014Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Florida, U.S.
49Loss36–11–1 Terry FlanaganRTD4, 3:00Apr 27, 2013Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, England
48Loss36–10–1 Kevin BizierRTD8, 3:00Feb 8, 2013Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaFor WBA–NABA and vacant IBF Inter-Continental welterweight titles
47Win36–9–1 Krzysztof SzotUD8Jun 30, 2012Atlas Arena, Łódź, Poland
46Win35–9–1 Victor CayoTKO9, 0:45Mar 24, 2012Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
45Loss34–9–1 Khabib Allakhverdiev6, 0:54Sep 25, 2011Olimp Sports Palace, Krasnodar, RussiaUnanimous TD after Campbell was cut from an accidental head clash
44Win34–8–1 Sherzod NazarovUD8May 21, 2011Krylatskoe Sport Palace, Moscow, Russia
43Loss33–8–1 Danny GarcíaUD10Apr 9, 2011MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
42Loss33–7–1 Walter EstradaSD8Nov 27, 2010MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
41Loss33–6–1 Victor OrtizUD10May 15, 2010The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
4033–5–1 Timothy BradleyRTD3, 3:00Aug 1, 2009Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.WBO junior welterweight title at stake;
Originally an RTD win for Bradley, later ruled an NC after an incorrect referee call
39Win33–5–1Ali Funeka12Feb 14, 2009BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida, U.S.
38Win32–5–1Juan DíazSD12Mar 8, 2008Plaza de Toros, Cancún, MexicoWon WBA (Undisputed), IBF, and WBO lightweight titles
37Win31–5–1Wilson AlcorroTKO6, 0:21Jul 6, 2007Florida State Fairgrounds Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
36Win30–5–1Ricky QuilesUD12Mar 2, 2007A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
35Win29–5–1Matt ZeganUD12Oct 7, 2006Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
34Loss28–5–1Isaac HlatshwayoSD12Apr 17, 2006Expo Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S.For IBO lightweight title
33Win28–4–1Francisco Javier OlveraRTD6, 3:00Jan 27, 2006Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win27–4–1Almazbek RaiymkulovTKO10, 2:26Oct 1, 2005St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
31Loss26–4–1Francisco Lorenzo10Jun 14, 2005Coliseum, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
30Win26–3–1Johnny WalkerTKO2, 1:25Apr 29, 2005DoubleTree, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
29Loss25–3–1Robbie PedenTKO8, 2:53Feb 23, 2005Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, AustraliaFor vacant IBF super featherweight title
28Win25–2–1Edelmiro Martinez4, 1:10Jul 30, 2004Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.Martinez disqualified for repeated low blows
27Loss24–2–1Robbie PedenKO5, 2:27Mar 14, 2004Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.For USBA super featherweight title
26Win24–1–1Daniel AttahUD12Jan 9, 2004Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
25Draw23–1–1Edelmiro Martinez10May 17, 2003Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Loss23–1Joel CasamayorUD10Jan 25, 2003Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
23Win23–0Renor Rojas ClaureKO5, 1:56Nov 23, 2002Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22Win22–0Daniel AliceaKO3, 0:43Sep 14, 2002Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won NABF and vacant WBA–NABA super featherweight titles
21Win21–0Carlos NavarroTKO5, 1:55Jun 22, 2002Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
20Win20–0Jaime TorresTKO5 Apr 27, 2002Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
19Win19–0Alric JohnsonTKO4 Mar 22, 2002Civic Center, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.Won vacant WBA–NABA super featherweight title
18Win18–0Joseph FigueroaUD8Feb 23, 2002Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
17Win17–0James Baker9, 3:00Feb 10, 2002Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin, Illinois, U.S.
16Win16–0Michael JamisonTKO1Nov 10, 2001Civic Center, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
15Win15–0Elias JuarezTKO4 Sep 29, 2001Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
14Win14–0Victorio AbadiaTKO8, 1:55Aug 31, 2001Clarence H. "Du" Burns Arena, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
13Win13–0Steve TrumbleTKO3, 1:50Aug 11, 2001Auditorium, Melbourne, Florida, U.S.
12Win12–0Antonio SmithTKO2 Jul 28, 2001Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
11Win11–0Keith MajorKO2, 1:51Jun 23, 2001Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
10Win10–0Angel Rios6May 11, 2001Civic Center, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
9Win9–0Antonio SmithKO1May 5, 2001Silver Star Hotel & Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.
8Win8–0Jaime TorresTKO3, 2:53Apr 21, 2001PAL Gymnasium, Homestead, Florida, U.S.
7Win7–0Antonio YoungTKO2, 2:26Feb 22, 2001Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
6Win6–0John Frazier3, 1:50Jan 18, 2001Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
5Win5–0Ivan DawsonTKO2, 1:57Dec 3, 2000Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
4Win4–0Sergio Jose OlivasTKO6 Oct 28, 2000Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
3Win3–0John TriggTKO4, 3:00Jun 23, 2000Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
2Win2–0Alex BrenesTKO2, 2:18May 26, 2000Level Nightclub, Miami, Florida, U.S.
1Win1–0Scoey Fields1, 2:58Feb 5, 2000The Moon, Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.