Wikipedia

Gary Sykes

Gary Sykes (born 13 February 1984) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2016. He held the British super-featherweight title twice between 2010 and 2014, and challenged for the Commonwealth super-featherweight and lightweight titles in 2014 and 2016, respectively.[1]

Gary Sykes
Born (1984-02-13) 13 February 1984 (age 40)
Dewsbury, England
Other names
  • Five Star
  • Sykesy[1]
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins28
Wins by KO6
Losses5

Amateur career

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Sykes boxing for Cleckheaton ABC[2] 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.[2][3] 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."[4] 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.[2]

Professional career

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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 third-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.[5] 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.[5]

British Champion

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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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

Prizefighter tournament

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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.[9]

Title defences

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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.[10] The fight, at the Huddersfield Sports Centre, resulted in a close points victory for Sykes after suffering a knockdown in the ninth 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."[11] 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.[12]

Retirement

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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

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33 fights 28 wins 5 losses
By knockout 6 2
By decision 22 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
33 Loss 28–5   Luke Campbell TKO 2 (12), 2:58 26 Mar 2016   Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England For vacant Commonwealth lightweight title
32 Win 28–4   Ibrar Riyaz PTS 6 25 Jul 2015   Olympia, Liverpool, England
31 Loss 27–4   Liam Walsh UD 12 29 Nov 2014   ExCeL Arena, London, England Lost British super-featherweight title;
For Commonwealth super-featherweight title
30 Win 27–3   Jon Kays TKO 10 (12), 1:33 24 May 2014   Dewsbury Leisure Centre, Dewsbury, England Won vacant British super-featherweight title
29 Win 26–3   Femi Fehintola PTS 8 21 Dec 2013   First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
28 Win 25–3   Mark McKray PTS 6 27 Sep 2013   Elland Road, Leeds, England
27 Win 24–3   Jon Kays UD 10 27 Apr 2013   Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England Retained English super-featherweight title
26 Win 23–3   Kevin Hooper UD 10 15 Mar 2013   Beachcomber Club, Cleethorpes, England Won vacant English super-featherweight title
25 Loss 22–3   Terry Flanagan SD 3 6 Oct 2012   Olympia, Liverpool, England Prizefighter: The Lightweights II – Final
24 Win 22–2   Anthony Crolla SD 3 6 Oct 2012   Olympia, Liverpool, England Prizefighter: The Lightweights II – Semi-final
23 Win 21–2   Tommy Coyle UD 3 6 Oct 2012   Olympia, Liverpool, England Prizefighter: The Lightweights II – Quarter-final
22 Win 20–2   Dean Mills PTS 6 23 Mar 2012   Hull City Hall, Hull, England
21 Loss 19–2   Gary Buckland UD 12 24 Sep 2011   Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England Lost British super-featherweight title
20 Win 19–1   Valentin Stoychev KO 3 (6) 23 Jul 2011   Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, England
19 Win 18–1   Carl Johanneson UD 12 5 Mar 2011   Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, England Retained British super-featherweight title
18 Loss 17–1   Gary Buckland TKO 1 (3) 20 Nov 2010   York Hall, London, England Prizefighter: The Super-featherweights – Semi-final
17 Win 17–0   Scott Lawton UD 3 20 Nov 2010   York Hall, London, England Prizefighter: The Super-featherweights – Quarter-final
16 Win 16–0   Kevin O'Hara UD 12 28 May 2010   Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, England Retained British super-featherweight title
15 Win 15–0   Andy Morris Jr. UD 12 5 Mar 2010   Huddersfield Sports Centre, Huddersfield, England Won vacant British super-featherweight title
14 Win 14–0   Dean Mills PTS 6 5 Feb 2010   Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, Nottingham, England
13 Win 13–0   Ibrar Riyaz PTS 8 16 Oct 2009   Seaburn Centre, Sunderland, England
12 Win 12–0   Anthony Crolla PTS 10 29 May 2009   Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent, England
11 Win 11–0   Johnny Greaves PTS 4 29 Mar 2009   De Vere Whites Hotel, Bolton, England
10 Win 10–0   Jason Nesbitt TKO 4 (6) 21 Dec 2008   De Vere Whites Hotel, Bolton, England
9 Win 9–0   Harry Ramogoadi PTS 6 18 Jul 2008   Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, England
8 Win 8–0   Peter Allen PTS 6 28 Mar 2008   Barnsley Metrodome, Barnsley, England
7 Win 7–0   Carl Allen PTS 6 8 Dec 2007   Robin Park Centre, Wigan, England
6 Win 6–0   Dwayne Hill TKO 4 (6) 19 Oct 2007   Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England
5 Win 5–0   Deniss Sirjatovs TKO 2 (4) 13 Jul 2007   Barnsley Metrodome, Barnsley, England
4 Win 4–0   Eduards Krauklis PTS 4 24 Jun 2007   Robin Park Centre, Wigan, England
3 Win 3–0   Kristian Laight PTS 4 13 Apr 2007   Altrincham Leisure Centre, Altrincham, England
2 Win 2–0   Dai Davis KO 3 (6) 13 Apr 2006   Leeds Town Hall, Leeds, England
1 Win 1–0   David Hinds PTS 6 23 Feb 2006   Leeds Town Hall, Leeds, England

References

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  1. ^ a b "BoxRec: Gary Sykes". boxrec.com. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b c 118th ABA National Championships 18 March 2005 Excel Centre (London). abae.co.uk
  3. ^ Adam Smith – Sykes is a class act. Sky Sports. Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  4. ^ Hay, Phil (4 June 2005). "Threat to Sykes' Down Under dream". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b Boxrec Gary Sykes professional record. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  6. ^ Boxrec News | Gary Sykes vs Andy Morris Archived 6 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine. News.boxrec.com (2010-03-06). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  7. ^ BBC sport | Gary Sykes wins British super featherweight title. BBC News (2010-03-06). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  8. ^ Gary Sykes v Kevin O'Hara. Secondsout.com (2002-03-14). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  9. ^ Knockout blow for Sykes in Prizefighter. Yorkshire Evening Post (2010-11-23). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  10. ^ Dewsbury reporter | Sykes in peak condition for british title defence. Examiner.co.uk (2011-03-04). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  11. ^ Sykes shows his steel. Sky Sports (2011-03-08). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
  12. ^ Wales Online | Gary Buckland dethrones Gary Sykes to win British title. Walesonline.co.uk (2011-09-25). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.
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