Sykes’s British title defence is called off

Champion Sykes was due to make his second defence against Manchester’s Jonny Kays on the undercard to Jamie McDonnell’s European bantamweight title fight at the Doncaster Dome.

However, it is understood that it is not financially viable to have two title fights on this bill, so Sykes’s clash has been postponed.

While the Sykes-Kays fight may be re-arranged for February or March, the 26-year-old from Dewsbury Moor will also have a keen eye on the British title eliminator between Leeds fighter Carl Johanneson and Manchester’s Anthony Crolla, who are scheduled to meet early next year. If Sykes is successful against Kays, he would meet the winner.

Sykes beat Crolla 18 months ago in a British title eliminator before beating Manchester’s Andy Morris in March to become the first Dewsbury fighter to win a Lonsdale belt.

He defended the crown with a comprehensive victory over Belfast’s Kevin O’Hara in May and is now two wins away from winning the belt outright.