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.

Amateur career Sykes boxing for Cleckheaton ABC118th ABA National Championships 18 March 2005 Excel Centre (London). abae.co.uk 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.Adam Smith – Sykes is a class act. Sky Sports. Retrieved on 2012-11-19. 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 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.Boxrec Gary Sykes professional record. 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.Boxrec News | Gary Sykes vs Andy Morris . News.boxrec.com (2010-03-06). Retrieved on 2012-11-19. 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.BBC sport | Gary Sykes wins British super featherweight title. BBC News (2010-03-06). Retrieved on 2012-11-19. 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.Gary Sykes v Kevin O'Hara. Secondsout.com (2002-03-14). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.

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.Knockout blow for Sykes in Prizefighter. Yorkshire Evening Post (2010-11-23). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.

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.Dewsbury reporter | Sykes in peak condition for british title defence. Examiner.co.uk (2011-03-04). Retrieved on 2012-11-19. 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."Sykes shows his steel. Sky Sports (2011-03-08). Retrieved on 2012-11-19. 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.Wales Online | Gary Buckland dethrones Gary Sykes to win British title. Walesonline.co.uk (2011-09-25). Retrieved on 2012-11-19.

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

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes33Loss28–5Luke CampbellTKO2 (12), 26 Mar 201632Win28–4Ibrar RiyazPTS625 Jul 201531Loss27–4Liam WalshUD1229 Nov 201430Win27–3Jon KaysTKO10 (12), 24 May 201429Win26–3Femi FehintolaPTS821 Dec 201328Win25–3Mark McKrayPTS627 Sep 201327Win24–3Jon KaysUD1027 Apr 201326Win23–3Kevin HooperUD1015 Mar 201325Loss22–3Terry FlanaganSD36 Oct 201224Win22–2Anthony CrollaSD36 Oct 201223Win21–2Tommy CoyleUD36 Oct 201222Win20–2Dean MillsPTS623 Mar 201221Loss19–2Gary BucklandUD1224 Sep 201120Win19–1Valentin StoychevKO3 (6)23 Jul 201119Win18–1Carl JohannesonUD125 Mar 201118Loss17–1Gary BucklandTKO1 (3)20 Nov 201017Win17–0Scott LawtonUD320 Nov 201016Win16–0Kevin O'HaraUD1228 May 201015Win15–0Andy Morris Jr.UD125 Mar 201014Win14–0Dean MillsPTS65 Feb 201013Win13–0Ibrar RiyazPTS816 Oct 200912Win12–0Anthony CrollaPTS1029 May 200911Win11–0Johnny GreavesPTS429 Mar 200910Win10–0Jason NesbittTKO4 (6)21 Dec 20089Win9–0Harry RamogoadiPTS618 Jul 20088Win8–0Peter AllenPTS628 Mar 20087Win7–0Carl AllenPTS68 Dec 20076Win6–0Dwayne HillTKO4 (6)19 Oct 20075Win5–0Deniss Sirjatovs TKO2 (4)13 Jul 20074Win4–0Eduards Krauklis PTS424 Jun 20073Win3–0Kristian LaightPTS413 Apr 20072Win2–0Dai DavisKO3 (6)13 Apr 20061Win1–0David HindsPTS623 Feb 2006

References