Experienced Campas overcomes Billy Lyell

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — With a towel over his swollen right eye, Billy Lyell was able to say that the people of Youngstown saw an entertaining fight, but a disappointing one.

It was evident as Ramon “Yory Boy” Campas (89-10-2) defeated the Niles fighter in workmanlike fashion during the main event of “Friday Night Fights” at the Chevy Centre.

Campas, of Navajoa, Sanora, Mexico, won the 10-round super welterweight fight by unanimous decision. The bout was televised on TeleFutura.

“He’s a veteran and seemed like he was getting stronger as the rounds went on,” said Lyell (15-5). “He didn’t waste a whole lot of shots. It seemed like he kept all of his punches short and they were very, very accurate.”

Campas, a 36-year-old with plenty of energy, gave Lyell some leather to remember.

“Yeah, I definitely felt a few of those hooks to the body,” Lyell said. “He caught me with some good head shots and good body shots.”

Entering the final round, Lyell said he thought the fight was close.

“I thought that, maybe if I win that round, I could steal a decision — you know, hometown, get the draw or something.”

Judges Tom Miller and Harry Arroyo had Campas ahead 96-94 on their cards, while John Kikta’s numbers were 97-93 for Campas.

Thought it was closer

Likewise, trainer Jack Loew knew Lyell needed the 10th to win, but he was expecting a bit different outcome.

“I told him that we need the round. I thought if we got the 10th, we’d be OK but, obviously, the judges didn’t see it that way,” said Loew.

Campas trainer Joe Diaz didn’t have any doubts about the outcome, but said that, a few times, Yory Boy hurried and missed his shot, especially toward the finish.

“He moved around according to how Lyell was positioned,” Diaz said, noting that Campas’ best weapon was a straight right hand.

“His jab was very effective, too, and he didn’t give enough room for Lyell to set up his punches. He was right on top of Lyell; that was the gameplan.”

Campas was especially good at body shots and, as Diaz said, “those upper cuts were banging his [Lyell] head up.”

Loew had no problem accepting the value of Campas’ ring experience and fortitude.

“You’re not a former world champ without having the whole package. He fought like a professional. He knew he was behind, then got cut and started stepping it up.”

Playing to his strengths

Stalking was one of the obvious strenghts of Campas, using the center of the ring to follow Lyell around during the first two rounds.

Lyell tried to get a little more distance between himself and Campas in the fourth round; he hoped it would give him an opportunity to set himself up better for punches. On two occasions, Lyell got Campas with good left hooks.

In the fifth, Campas again tried to cut off the ring and keep pressure on Lyell.

In the sixth, Lyell was able to protect himself from some shots, but Campas managed to find openings to both the body and head, especially in the final minute. A solid punch by Lyell caught the Mexican in the seventh.

Campas stung Lyell in the eight with a right hand that made the Niles fighter wobbly. Referee Randy Jarvis of Akron asked the ring physician to take a look at Lyell, who was given the OK to continue. Upon resumption, Campas’ corner was looking for the kill.

In the ninth, Campas was effective with right fakes, left jabs and straight right leads.

In the 10th, both fighters swung rapidly while circling the ring, with both giving and taking good punches.

“Billy’s limited in his ability, but he’s got more heart than you can imagine,” said Loew. “Tonight, he went out and fought with a legend.”

Lyell’s manager, Pat Nelson, said Lyell will have a tune-up fight in August, then an 8-round main event at Eastwood Field Sept. 7 against Matt Berkshire (9-1) of West Virginia.

bassetti@vindy.com