Gary Sykes


Gary Sykes is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2016. He held the British super-featherweight title twice between 2010 and 2014, challenged once for the Commonwealth super-featherweight title in 2014 and once for the Commonwealth lightweight title in 2016.

Amateur career

Sykes boxing for Cleckheaton ABC enjoyed a 62 fight career as an amateur, a record which included at one stage a 32 fight winning streak as well as a victory over the current European champion at lightweight, John Murray. During his time as an amateur Sykes also won titles in the junior ABA's as well as the full ABA title in 2005 beating Mike Robinson in the 60 kg category in the event held at the Excel Arena in London. Despite establishing himself as one of England's top amateurs, Sykes missed out on a chance to go to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne after Stephen Smith, another star amateur decided to move up and compete in the same weight division as Sykes. Speaking of the uncertainty at the time Sykes trainer Keith Tate said "everything is uncertain...because Smith's moved up to featherweight, and I know he's highly rated by Terry Edwards...I think Gary's earned his selection already but I have a feeling that this is going to come down to the next ABA Championships later this year....It seems like they're moving the goalposts and I'll feel sorry for Gary if he doesn't get the opportunity. He's had a great year." At the 2006 ABA championships, actually held on 2 December 2005 so as to allow preparation for the Commonwealth Games. Smith beat Akaash Bhatia in the final of the 57 kg.

Professional career

Sykes made his professional boxing debut on 23 February 2006 at the Town Hall in Leeds fighting journeyman Dave Hinds and running out a winner over six rounds. Sykes followed up the victory with on further win in 2006, defeating Dai Davies once again at the Town Hall with a 3rd round knockout. In 2007 Sykes defeated Kristian Laight, Eduards Krauklis, Deniss Sirjatovs, Dwayne Hill and Carl Allen fighting in venues across the north of England including Barnsley, Wigan, Doncaster and Altrincham.. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-19. In 2008 Sykes continued his winning streak with wins over Peter Allen, Harry Ramogoadi and Jason Nesbitt before starting 2009 on a high with a win over journeyman Johnny Greaves.

British Champion

On 29 May 2009 Sykes faced his biggest challenge so far against Anthony Crolla in an eliminator for British super featherweight Title, winning over the 10 round distance. Two more victories followed against Ibrar Riyaz and Dean Mills before getting the chance to fight for the title on 5 March 2010. The fight, against Andy Morris a former British featherweight champion, resulted in a close points win over 12 rounds at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre. Morris, who also won a Commonwealth games bronze medal as an amateur, had stepped in at last notice following the withdrawal of original opponent Ricky Burns. On 28 May 2010 Sykes made a successful first defence of his belt beating Kevin O'Hara again over 12 rounds at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre.

Prizefighter tournament

On 20 November 2010 Sykes chose to enter the knock out style Prizefighter series promoted by Barry Hearn and televised live by Sky Sports. The competition, which would provide the winner a prize of £32,000, pitched Sykes against former British and European title challenger Scott Lawton in the quarter finals in a bout which he comfortably won. In the semi-final Sykes, who had wanted to enter the tournament in order to raise his profile, faced Welshman Gary Buckland and suffered a surprise knockout defeat after just 45 seconds of the first round, the first defeat of his career. Luckily for Sykes, because of the format of the competition, his British title was not on the line. Buckland, himself a former European title challenger, went on to win the tournament beating Derry Mathews in the final.

Title defences

On 5 March 2011 Sykes returned to the ring for the second defence of his British title against former champion Carl Johanneson of Leeds, the mandatory challenger for the title. The fight, at the Huddersfield Sports Centre, resulted in a close points victory for Sykes after suffering a knockdown in the 9th round, eventually running out a 116–112, 115–112 and 115–113 winner. After the fight Sykes paid tribute to former champion Johanneson saying "To beat him means the world to me...when I first sparred with him I never thought I could last 12 rounds let alone beat him." For his third defence Sykes faced Gary Buckland with the two meeting on 24 September 2011. In a close back and forth contest Sykes lost the title to Buckland with the Welshman being awarded the decision over 12 rounds resulting in a second career defeat for Sykes.

Retirement

On 18 September 2016, Sykes announced his retirement from boxing on his Facebook page. He cited a lack of hunger and desire at his older age, and a lack of motivation to continue to fight.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
33Loss28–5 Luke CampbellTKO2, 2:5826 Mar 2016 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, EnglandFor vacant Commonwealth lightweight title
32Win28–4 Ibrar RiyazPTS625 Jul 2015 Olympia, Liverpool, England
31Loss27–4 Liam WalshUD1229 Nov 2014 ExCeL Arena, London, EnglandLost British super-featherweight title;
For Commonwealth super-featherweight title
30Win27–3 Jon KaysTKO10, 1:3324 May 2014 Dewsbury Leisure Centre, Dewsbury, EnglandWon vacant British super-featherweight title
29Win26–3 Femi FehintolaPTS821 Dec 2013 First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
28Win25–3 Mark McKrayPTS627 Sep 2013 Elland Road, Leeds, England
27Win24–3 Jon KaysUD1027 Apr 2013 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, EnglandRetained English super-featherweight title
26Win23–3 Kevin HooperUD1015 Mar 2013 Beachcomber Club, Cleethorpes, EnglandWon vacant English super-featherweight title
25Loss22–3 Terry FlanaganSD36 Oct 2012 Olympia, Liverpool, EnglandPrizefighter: The Lightweights II – Final
24Win22–2 Anthony CrollaSD36 Oct 2012 Olympia, Liverpool, EnglandPrizefighter: The Lightweights II – Semi-final
23Win21–2 Tommy CoyleUD36 Oct 2012 Olympia, Liverpool, England – Quarter-final
22Win20–2 Dean MillsPTS623 Mar 2012 Hull City Hall, Hull, England
21Loss19–2 Gary BucklandUD1224 Sep 2011 Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, EnglandLost British super-featherweight title
20Win19–1 Valentin StoychevKO3 23 Jul 2011 Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, England
19Win18–1 Carl JohannesonUD125 Mar 2011 Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, EnglandRetained British super-featherweight title
18Loss17–1 Gary BucklandTKO1 20 Nov 2010 York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter: The Super-featherweights – Semi-final
17Win17–0 Scott LawtonUD320 Nov 2010 York Hall, London, England – Quarter-final
16Win16–0 Kevin O'HaraUD1228 May 2010 Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, EnglandRetained British super-featherweight title
15Win15–0 Andy Morris Jr.UD125 Mar 2010 Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, EnglandWon vacant British super-featherweight title
14Win14–0 Dean MillsPTS65 Feb 2010 Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, Nottingham, England
13Win13–0 Ibrar RiyazPTS816 Oct 2009 Seaburn Centre, Sunderland, England
12Win12–0 Anthony CrollaPTS1029 May 2009 Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent, England
11Win11–0 Johnny GreavesPTS429 Mar 2009 De Vere Whites Hotel, Bolton, England
10Win10–0 Jason NesbittTKO4 21 Dec 2008 De Vere Whites Hotel, Bolton, England
9Win9–0 Harry RamogoadiPTS618 Jul 2008 Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, England
8Win8–0 Peter AllenPTS628 Mar 2008 Barnsley Metrodome, Barnsley, England
7Win7–0 Carl AllenPTS68 Dec 2007 Robin Park Centre, Wigan, England
6Win6–0 Dwayne HillTKO4 19 Oct 2007 Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England
5Win5–0 Deniss SirjatovsTKO2 13 Jul 2007
4Win4–0 Eduards KrauklisPTS424 Jun 2007
3Win3–0 Kristian LaightPTS413 Apr 2007
2Win2–0 Dai DavisKO3 13 Apr 2006Leeds Town Hall, Leeds, England.png" />
1Win1–0 David HindsPTS623 Feb 2006