Sykes edges Morris after Five Star scrap to become British champ
Youth and work rate trumped experience and savvy in Huddersfield last night in a first class dust up for the vacant British super featherweight title.
If truth be told, we weren’t really sure what to expect prior to the first bell as the untested but unbeaten Gary Sykes stepped up to the plate to tackle the more experienced but naturally smaller Andy Morris. The odds makers for once were stumped also, unable to split the pair in the betting which allowed the vociferous Sykes fans in attendance the opportunity to subsidise their taxi fares for the short trip back up the road to Dewsbury.
Their money looked less than safe as the fighters met mid ring to undertake the referee’s final instructions however. Sykes, who had admitted to being nervous in the build up looked visibly apprehensive as Morris bore into him, the very picture of determination.
Sykes’ nerves transferred to a tightness which allowed the more relaxed Morris to impress early with fine technical boxing featuring crisp punching, educated footwork and impressive defensive work. Unable to match his man technically, Sykes used his fantastic engine to drive on and force his punches home. He was tenacious and eager and it was this edge in ambition which allowed him to take the decision in a very competitive and closely fought contest with scores of 115-114 (twice) and 116-113.
Each round was close enough for argument as both men answered each other in tit for tat exchanges which had the crowd involved right up to the last. Sykes used his greater size, wingspan and energy to force himself upon Morris, and although the Wythenshawe man was able to frustrate Sykes for long periods with his defensive work, it was Sykes’ slight edge in industry which saw him home. The question of just how slight is borne out in the punch stats with Sykes landing 165 of 932 punches thrown whilst Morris hit the target with 158 of 959 fired in the other direction.
It was such a pleasing contest, I wouldn’t rule out a rematch, one which may suit Sykes’ promoter Frank Maloney as it will undoubtedly benefit his young charge in terms of experience.
Sykes joins men such as Pat Cowdell, Michael Gomez and Kevin Mitchell as men who have held the prestigious 130lb Lonsdale belt and he moves to 15-0 (4) whilst Morris falls to 18-3 (6).
Undercard action saw the return of Tyson Fury, now under the expert tutelage of Brian Hughes and Pat Barrett. In wiping out another overmatched cart horse within a round in the shape of Hans-Joerg Blasko, Fury, despite having the air of a quality fighter about him, rather surprisingly failed to show any improvement in either his conditioning or his defence. Indeed the big man was left with a bloody nose during his post fight interview and must now work like he seemingly never has in the gym over the next couple of months to avoid disaster in his rematch with John McDermott. Minus points for the Manchester United shirt also Tyson. Tsk tsk.
