Gary Sykes set to fight Stephen Smith for British title

Dewsbury boxer Gary Sykes will get chance to win the Lonsdale belt outright when he fights Liverpool’s Stephen Smith later this year.

By Andrew Hunt

Published 19th Aug 2013, 11:37 BST

Gary Sykes celebrates winning the Lonsdale belt.
Front page of supplement. — Gary Sykes celebrates winning the Lonsdale belt. Front page of supplement.

The British Boxing Board of Control ordered the winner of last Saturday’s British super featherweight clash between Gary Buckland and Smith to fight Sykes before the end of November.

Smith produced a sensational fifth round knock-out over Buckland and will make a first defence of his crown against Sykes.

Purse bids for the contest are due on September 11 but it is understood a deal could be struck as early as this week, with promoter Frank Warren keen on handing Smith a date to face Sykes in his first defence.

See this week’s papers for Gary’s reaction to last week’s fight and the prospect of meeting Smith for the British title.

Dewsbury Liverpool