Sykes returns to Liverpool Olympia for must-win clash

Dewsbury boxer Gary Sykes returns to the Liverpool Olympia when he makes his official lightweight debut on Saturday July 25.
Gary Sykes ended Tommy Coyles unbeaten professional record when he last fought at the Liverpool Olympia, during the 2012 Prizefighter competition. Picture: Trevor PriceGary Sykes ended Tommy Coyles unbeaten professional record when he last fought at the Liverpool Olympia, during the 2012 Prizefighter competition. Picture: Trevor Price
Gary Sykes ended Tommy Coyles unbeaten professional record when he last fought at the Liverpool Olympia, during the 2012 Prizefighter competition. Picture: Trevor Price

Sykes knows victory in two weeks’ time could open the door to a potential title fight on the Matchroom bill in Leeds on September 5.

Sykes has had mixed fortunes fighting at the historic Olympia as he boxed there for England as an amateur and suffered an agonising defeat to Manchester’s Terry Flanagan in the Prizefighter final back in October 2012.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sykes said: “Since I was added to the bill and getting a definite date I’ve really stepped up training.

“I’ve been sparring Jazza Dickens, who has just won the British super bantamweight title, and Josh Warrington, who is preparing for his big Leeds show.

“Although I don’t yet have an opponent, I know it’s an important fight, which could lead to me fighting for a title on the undercard in Leeds on September 5.

“It is a good venue and I boxed in four nations competitions for England there, as well as Prizefighter, and I’m sure I’ll take a few supporters over with me.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sykes ended Tommy Coyle’s unbeaten record at the Olympia Prizefighter and also registered a second win in the professional ranks against Anthony Crolla, before being edged out by Flanagan in the final.

Unbeaten Mancunian Flanagan meets Jose Zepeda for the WBO world title this Saturday, while Crolla fights Darleys Perez for the WBA world crown on July 18 and Sykes is eying his own return to the big time.

Sykes added: “I will feel so much more comfortable at lightweight as it means I won’t be having to kill myself getting down to super featherweight .

“I am already seeing the difference in my body with the work I have been putting in and I just can’t wait to get back in.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sykes returns for the first time since losing his British and Commonwealth super featherweight clash with Liam Walsh last November.

Sykes has received an allocation of tickets for the July 25 show at Liverpool’s Olympia, priced £30 standard or £50 ringside.

They are available by contacting @GarySykesBoxer on Twitter or via Gary’s Facebook.

Details of return travel to the fight are available from James on 07890 610184.

Unbeaten Liverpool light welterweight Andrew Colquhoun meets Manchester’s former British champion David Barnes in the top of the bill clash at Olympia.