By Terence Dooley
Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes defends his British super-featherweight title against Kevin O’Hara at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre later tonight and the 26-year-old is already looking for his next opponent, with former champion Carl Johanneson at the top of Gary’s hit list.
Sykes has recently motored his way to wins over Anthony Crolla, in a title eliminator, and Andy Morris, for the Lonsdale belt, but should be able to show us a bit of the old Sykes razzle-dazzle in tonight’s fight and a convincing display will pave the way for the Johanneson showdown.
“Me against Carl would be a big local fight and would get at lot of interest,” said Sykes when speaking to Andrew Wake of the Yorkshire Evening Post. “I think we'd put on an exciting fight and I know Carl is really fired up because my coach Julian (McGowan) made a comment about him being past it and that's got Carl angry. Ricky Burns has got the Commonwealth title and I'd like to add another belt, but Carl is the man who beat Ricky so he's the man to beat really. Plus he's promoted by Frank Maloney, like me, so it'll be easy to set up.”
Carl fights Arek Malek in the latest instalment of his comeback, the 31-year-old sparred John Murray ahead of Murray’s EBU title tilt against Gary Buckland so should be in fine fettle. Carl, a former British title holder, would relish a showdown with Sykes.
“I know that given a chance I can get my old title back from Gary. A clash with me is natural and would put Yorkshire boxing back on the map. It seems to be forgotten at times,” said Johanneson.
O’Hara is 28 and has only lost to the likes of Ricky Burns and Willie Limond; Sykes, though a winner over Morris, was a little laboured in his title fight and will have to improve if he is to do a number on ‘Sweet Pea’, who is 17-5 (5) and drinking in the last chance saloon.
Undercard action sees Brian Rose take on Birmingham’s Max Maxwell over eight rounds. This is Rose’s first fight since last October, the popular fighter stopped Jason Rushton in ten rounds on that occasion but was left distraught after Rushton collapsed post-fight and had to undergo surgery. Rose hopes to put the tragedy behind him; Brian visited Rushton in hospital and moves on with his career with the Doncaster-based fighter’s blessings ringing in his ears.
Rose, 25, hopes to fight for the British title and is adamant that he will dedicate his future title triumphs to Rushton. Rose is also drawing inspiration from Blackpool FC’s recent rise to the Premiership.
“The Wembley triumph has given Blackpool the lift that it needed,” declared Rose. “What Ian Holloway and the boys achieved was magnificent and I wouldn't mind some of that success myself. Some of my fans are still celebrating promotion and everyone who has bought a ticket from me will be wearing tangerine wig at the Maxwell fight. Provided I get thorough Maxwell, my promoter Frank Maloney will deliver a British title fight and like the footballers I won't let the town down."
Maxwell is 30-years-old, 11-9-2 (2) and in danger of falling into the journeyman bracket; although he pops up with the odd result, such as his 2009 draw with Prizefighter victor Prince Arron, and will look to get back amongst the Ws by scalping Rose tonight. Brian has it all to play for and will get behind the jab to post an important victory and get his career going again.
Sky Sports 1 and HD1 televise from 10pm tonight.
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