Olympic champion boxer Luke Campbell has been inundated with messages from fans this morning after taking just 88 seconds to claim victory in his first professional fight.
Fans flooded social media site Twitter with messages of support and congratulations after the referee stepped in to declare Luke the winner against Andy Harris just one minute and 28 seconds into the first round.
While the 6,500-strong crowd at Craven Park chanted his name, fans, gripped once more by Hull fever, spoke of their pride at Luke's achievement in his first professional fight. Labelled "The Homecoming," it was his first boxing match since his decision to turn professional after claiming a gold medal in last summer's Olympics.
Adorations Florist in Hull tweeted: "Congratulations @luke11campbell #TheHomecoming That's why he's Olympic Champion and deserves his MBE. #hull&proud."
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Hull East MP John Prescott, now Lord Prescott, sent his congratulations to Luke via his 195,992 followers. He tweeted: "Well done champ. One Hull of a start to your professional career! You did us all proud tonight!"
Controversial footballer Joey Barton, who commented on the fights unfolding at Craven Park throughout the night, told his 2.2m followers: "@luke11campbell looks smart. Great start that. Off to bed now. Good night boxing that."
John_Buttrick of Hull Children's University sent messages to support to both Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle, who had been defeated by a devastating single punch from Derry Matthews in the tenth round despite being way ahead on points for the whole of the fight.
Dr Buttrick tweeted: "@luke11campbell @TommyCoyle89 You did us proud guys! Every kid in Hull idolise you 2!Great role models & ambassadors forHull! #fabfightnight"
Other fans kept the goodwill messages pouring in well into the early hours of the morning.
Jo_Rob_1 tweeted to both Luke and Tommy: "Thank you both for such a great night out in the city of Hull! Everyone is so proud of you both!"
At 5.35am, Luke sent his own thank you to fans who cheered him on to victory once more. He tweeted: "Massive thank u to every one who came to support my professional debut tonight and watched on @SkySportsBoxing the journey has started x"
Tommy Coyle, seen in tears after he was floored by the punch, thanked fans for consoling him. He tweeted: "ABSOLUTELY GUTTED. Thank you for all the tweets,messages and texts. It was a great fight and Derry found a great punch to conclude it all."
Fans were quick to respond, with andyspeed2010 telling Tommy: "Best fight of the night absolute cracker! Chin up and come back stronger, well done you did Hull very proud."
