Olympic boxing champion Luke Campbell has been announced as Reform UK’s mayoral candidate for Hull and East Yorkshire.
The gold medallist was unveiled alongside party leader Nigel Farage at an event in Hull on Thursday night.
Campbell, who won gold for Team GB at London 2012, will stand in the region’s first-ever metro mayor election on May 1.
The announcement was confirmed on Reform UK’s official social media channels with a highlight reel of the boxing icon.
Nigel Farage unveiled Luke Campbell as Reform UK’s mayoral candidate for Hull and East Yorkshire
Reuters
Campbell was presented to Reform supporters at Hull’s Connexin Live Arena, where Farage declared him a “knockout candidate” as the pair posed for photos.
The 37-year-old told the audience he had to “think hard” about entering politics.
“But the more I sat and thought about it, the more I got excited…I got excited about what I can do for my community,” Campbell said.
Reform UK’s statement read: “We are delighted to announce Olympic Gold Medalist and local hero Luke Campbell as our Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral candidate. Hull & East Yorkshire needs Reform.”
Campbell emphasised his local roots during the announcement, describing himself as a “Hull lad born and bred” who wants to “give back” to the city that gave him “grit” and “spirit.”
“I’m not going to stand on this stage and pretend I’m a politician, because I’m certainly not. The mayor role for me isn’t about playing politics. It’s about being a voice for Hull and East Yorkshire,” he told supporters.
The former boxer spoke passionately about his ambitions for the region.
“We all have a choice, we can stand up for our families, we can stand up for our communities and we can stand up for our future,” Campbell declared.
Campbell’s Olympic success came at London 2012, representing a career highlight that brought national pride.
“One of the proudest moments in my life was coming home after the Olympics. Seeing all the people that turned out for me. It was the first time the country came together as one,” he recalled.
Following his Olympic triumph, Campbell turned professional in 2013.
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Luke Campbell gave a passionate statement after being unveiled as Reform’s latest star
Reuters
He compiled a respectable professional record of 20-4 before retiring from boxing in 2021.
His retirement came after consecutive defeats to boxing luminaries Vasiliy Lomachenko and Ryan Garcia.
Campbell will face a competitive field in the May 1 election for the newly created position of metro mayor for Hull and East Riding.
His opponents include Conservative Anne Handley, Kerry Harrison for the Green Party, and Labour’s Margaret Pinder.
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Luke Campbell boasted a commendable20-4 record as a boxer
PA
The Liberal Democrats have put forward Mike Ross, while Rowan Halstead represents the Yorkshire Party.
The election follows the government’s approval of a devolution deal for the region last September.
This historic agreement will establish a combined authority comprising Hull City Council and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Campbell has pledged to “give the people of Hull and East Yorkshire a fighting chance” and to be “accountable for real change.”