Fantastic homecoming planned for star Sykes

Although exact details of the bill have yet to be announced, promoter Steve Wood has promised a fantastic homecoming for Dewsbury’s biggest star.

Dewsbury Sports Centre will stage the show, which will also include Tony Aitcheson and Central Boxing Club stablemate James Ancliff, with Sykes topping the bill in an international title fight.

It will be the first time since November 2001 that Dewsbury has staged professional boxing when local lad Steve Conway topped a bill, which also included Mally McIver, but this will be by far the biggest show the town has seen.

Sykes’s trainer Julian McGowan wants the whole town to rally round for what will be a momentus occasion.

McGowan said: “Every fighter deserves a homecoming once in his career and Gary is now going to get his.

“Winning on Saturday was the last stumbling block and now we are going to have a show in Dewsbury.

“This isn’t about opponents or whatever title it will be for, this is all about Dewsbury’s biggest star and the chance to come meet him and greet him and enjoy him while you can because he’s not going to around forever.

“I’m telling the people of Dewsbury now that everyone has to come to this show whether you are a boxing fan or not.

“If you are a Dewsbury person and a sports person you have to come and watch Gary Sykes because he’s the best talent, the best athlete and the best role model that Dewsbury has ever had.

“There will not be another boxer of Gary’s quality to come from a small town like Dewsbury. Certainly not in our lifetimes.”