Peden planning to reduce Campbell to tears... again
 By Anthony Cocks, Site Editor (February 8, 2005) 
Robbie 'Bomber' Peden
US-based Australian super featherweight contender Robbie 'Bomber' Peden has issued a chilling warning to Nate Campbell ahead of their rematch for the vacant IBF title on February 23 at Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, Australia on a Blue Corner promoted card.

"It's going to be reality TV at its best," said Peden, 24-2 (13), speaking exclusively to DoghouseBoxing. "You might even see him cry again."

Peden of course is referring to his first bout with Campbell in March 2004 when he reduced the hard-hitting 32-year-old to tears after knocking him rotten with a savage left hook after the Florida native dropped his hands and offered the Australian a free shot.

While he freely admits that he took advantage of a gifted opportunity, Peden is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for what promises to be toughest test of his eight year professional career.

"I’ve been training all my life for this fight," continued Peden, who has fought his entire pro career out of the States. "If he honestly thinks he can come to Australia and hit me with his bullshit shots, then he’s got another thing coming. I’m ready to win this championship. People should check in to see Australia’s next world champion."

The 31-year-old former amateur standout from Brisbane has been training for this fight on the Gold Coast, utilizing some the best fighters Australia has to offer as sparring partners. Included in his training camp are talented junior welterweight Naoufel Ben Rabah (IBF #15, WBO #8), lightweight standout Michael Katsidis (WBO #8), former world title challenger Nedal 'Skinny' Hussein (WBC #4), current Australian featherweight champion Jackson Asiku and former Australian junior welterweight champion Justin Rowsell.

In his first fight with Campbell, Peden set a blistering pace, winning the first two rounds clearly with his superior speed and workrate. But by the third round Campbell's heavier punches started to find their mark and in the fourth a wicked body shot left Peden doubled over and gasping for air. Guts and tenacity were the only things that allowed Peden to survive the round.

"I got away from my game plan last time," revealed Peden. "We will probably go out and box much the same way and see what he brings to the table. I think he’ll come a little bit harder, but the one thing he knows is that he can get knocked out."

And what a knockout it was. After Peden tagged Campbell with a left hook, the John David Jackson trained fighter let his hands drop by his sides and stood there in centre ring offering up no defence. It was all Peden needed to send him crashing to the canvas and propel himself into the number one contender position in the IBF rankings.

After such a devastating loss in their first encounter, Peden believes he will be going into this fight with a huge psychological advantage over Campbell.

"I do, I really do think it will," said Peden. "We also studied the tapes before the last fight and we thought that his chin wasn’t very good. Also when he got caught by Casamayor a couple of times he looked at his feet, he couldn’t really find his legs. So after being knocked out we’ll see how he comes back."

After the Campbell fight, reigning IBF champion Carlos Hernandez opted to unify his title with WBC champion Erik Morales in a big money matchup rather than face mandatory contender Peden. After Morlaes defeated Hernandez he vacated the IBF belt, paving the way for Peden to rematch Campbell for the vacant title.

Despite the seemingly momentary lapse of reason that resulted in the fifth round KO loss for Campbell, Peden insists that it's a fundamental flaw in the Floridian rather than a one-off mistake.

"We saw that in the tape as well," said Peden, who is trained by Roger Bloodworth. "You win boxing matches from small mistakes. And my experience and my dedication brought me through that last fight. He hit me with a good body shot, but it was only the fifth round. People really have to look at themselves if they think I’m only good enough to go five rounds with anyone. I’m a much better fighter than that and I’m ready for an all out war."

There is certainly no love lost between these two familiar foes. In the lead up to the first fight Campbell, 25-2 (21), was vociferous in the media about the punishment he was going to dish out to Peden. Even after the bout, once the reality of the loss had sunk in, Campbell renewed his verbal attack on Peden through the press.

"I don’t really care what he says," said a nonchalant Peden. "He’s talked a lot of crap about everyone. He says I wasn’t a man; he talked about Casamayor; he talked about the judges. It’s everybody's fault but his own. Once he starts taking responsibility for his losses, then people will respect him. But I don’t respect the man; I don’t like the man."

While the first fight was fought at a hectic pace, Peden says he could bolt out of the gates even quicker this time.

"Could be even faster this time," he said. "I’m in great shape. If he wants to bring it harder, we can bring it harder. I know I can absorb what he’s got, I can absorb everything he throws. The question is, can he absorb what I throw?"

Peden, whose only losses are to Juan Manuel Marquez and John Brown, admits that the body shots took their toll on him the first fight, but says that he has a plan to counter Campbell's body attack this time around.

"Yeah, well I kind of gave him a few free shots last fight," mused Peden. "I was in great shape like I always am. If he goes to the body again I’ve got something for him. We’ve worked on a few things to nullify his body attack and you know, he’s got to watch out for body shots too you. I might take his body away."

As for reducing Campbell to tears again, Peden was at his comedic best in his response.

“He should actually be sponsored by Kleenex,” Peden added with a laugh.
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