Former Olympic boxing champion Luke Campbell has vowed to "fight for the people" after being elected as the first mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire for Reform UK.
The 37-year-old secured a decisive victory in the local election, winning by more than 10,000 votes over his nearest rival.
Campbell, who hung up his gloves in 2021 after a successful career that included gold at London 2012, believes his sporting background has prepared him well for a political office.
He told GB News: "I’m really proud to be part of Reform UK. Today has been massive for the party, it shows the momentum we’re building. People are coming on board. There’s real energy behind us."
The 37-year-old secured a decisive victory in the local election
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"But for me, my focus is East Yorkshire. That’s who I’m here to fight for, and that’s where my attention is."
"When you look at everything I bring to the table, I’m a former elite athlete, a boxer, a business owner, a father, and a family man.
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"I believe that’s a strength. I bring discipline, hard work, and dedication.
"I may not have a traditional political background, but I actually see that as an advantage.
"It doesn’t matter to me who I work with, everyone around that table should be focused on one thing: delivering real benefits for the people of this region."
He added: "I feel incredibly honoured and humbled that people voted for me to be mayor of this region. I’m just a member of the community. I was brought up here.
"I came from nothing, worked hard, and during my boxing career, I inspired the next generation." I want to show people that if you work hard, anything is possible.
"That’s a message I want to keep carrying forward. Now that I’m in politics, I want to give back and put the communities first. I can’t wait to get started."
The victory marks another significant win for Reform UK, coming alongside Andrea Jenkyns' success in being elected as the first mayor for Greater Lincolnshire.
Andrea Jenkyns also won in Lincolnshire
PACampbell's boxing pedigree includes winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics in the bantamweight division, becoming the first British fighter to achieve this feat in the weight class since Henry Thomas in 1908.
His amateur career also featured a World Championship silver medal in Baku in 2011 and European Championship gold in Liverpool in 2008.
As a professional from 2013 to 2021, Campbell won 20 of his 24 fights, with 16 knockouts.
