Kevin Bizier Stops Nate Campbell on ESPN

Welterweight prospect Kevin Bizier secured the best scalp of his 4 and 1/2 year pro career, as he made 40-year-old Nate Campbell, the ex lightweight champ, stay on his stool after round eight in the main event of “Friday Night Fights” which unfolded at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Campbell said afterwards that in the second round, they grappled, and he hurt his back. He said the punches didn’t hurt, but Bizier was too heavy and strong, and a middleweight to boot. Campbell assured his family that he was fine. He said he took the fight on seven days notice and had just 13 rounds of sparring. No, he won’t retire, he is a fighter, he fights, that what he does. He’ll just do it at 140 pounds.

Bizier was the busier man, looking to impose his will upon the faded vet early on. He maintained his balance and a helpful distance as he ripped power shots on the vet. Campbell got worked over on the ropes a bunch, and in round four, he ate shots, up top and down low, and waved to Bizier, telling him to c’mon. Bizier didn’t need the invite.

Bizier ripped fearsome left hooks and Campbell wasn’t willing or able to scoot away from them. Nate ripped his own right to the body to start round six; think his corner told him they needed to see more or the plug could get pulled? A ferocious left hook landed up top and made Nate fans cringe.

Bizier drew blood in the seventh, but Nate hung in. He popped a jab now and again and his right still had enough velocity to land it a few times.

Nate’s corner pulled the plug and didn’t let him come out for the ninth. He said his back was hurting him, and his trainer declared that he wasn’t faking it.