Holy crap, I can't believe we just witnessed a boxing champion literally punch his way into politics! Luke Campbell—the hometown hero who brought Olympic gold back to Hull in 2012—has officially traded his boxing shorts for a mayor's badge. And not just any mayor... he's become the FIRST EVER mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, flying the flag for Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.

I was at the count last night (fueled by way too much coffee and teh nervous energy of someone who's covered local politics for 15 years), watching as the results rolled in. The atmosphere was electric—like being ringside at one of Campbell's professional fights, except with more tweed jackets and fewer bloody noses.

When an Olympian Steps into the Political Ring

Campbell absolutely demolished the competition. The 37-year-old former southpaw secured 48,491 votes, leaving Liberal Democrat Mike Ross trailing by nearly 11,000 ballots. Not quite a knockout, but definitely a unanimous decision.

Listen. This isn't just some celebrity vanity project.

As mayor, Campbell now represents over 610,000 people across Hull and East Yorkshire, with control of a £13million annual government budget. That's a far cry from dancing around opponents in the ring. He'll be making crucial decisions about housing, transport, economic development, and basically everything that matters to the region for the next four years.

From Gold Medals to... Political Reform?!

I interviewed Campbell back in March when he first announced his candidacy. Sitting in his local gym—the same one where he trained as a kid—he seemed almost embarrassed by the attention. "Hull gave me everything," he told me, nursing a protein shake and occasionally glancing at old fight posters on the wall. "This isn't about me or politics. It's about giving something back."

Campbell only threw his hat into the political ring in late February. Barely two months of campaigning! Most politicians spend years climbing the greasy pole.

The Farage Factor

Reform UK has been making serious waves lately. They've seized control of seven county councils and pulled off that jaw-dropping by-election win that had established parties reaching for the smelling salts.

I bumped into Richard Tice (Reform's deputy leader) at a service station near Beverley last week. His response when I asked about Campbell's chances: "Already ordering the champagne." Confident doesn't begin to cover it.

Tice later told the BBC that Campbell brings "courage, tenacity, bravery" to the role—qualities forged through years of taking punches to the face, I suppose.

Dancing on Thin Political Ice?

Campbell isn't exactly a political veteran. Before this, his most notable non-boxing public appearance was probably on Dancing on Ice, where he finished third back in 2019. I watched every episode (don't judge me) and his determination was obvious even then.

In his victory speech yesterday, Campbell appeared genuinely moved. "Truly humbled and honoured," were his exact words as he addressed a crowd that included everyone from suited party officials to old training partners in tracksuits.

One thing's certain—Hull hasn't seen anything like this before.

What Next for Hull's Fighting Mayor?

Campbell's first day in office is Monday. I've got £50 with a colleague that says he'll show up in a suit rather than Reform's signature teal. Old habits die hard.

For a region often overlooked by Westminster, having a high-profile figure at the helm might just be the punch in the arm it needs.

And if things go south? Well, at least we know our mayor can handle himself in a fight.