Sykes helps boost Mayor’s charity fund

Sykes and Mayor of Kirklees, Coun Martyn Bolt, officially opened the shop on Saturday January 4 and both guests were given charity bets by Ladbrokes.

Coun Bolt placed £100 on Huddersfield Town to beat Grimsby 2-1 in the FA Cup third round, while Sykes placed a further £50 on Leeds United to win 3-1 away to Rochdale.

Although both bets lost, Ladbrokes donated the £150 stake to the Mayor’s chosen charity One Community Foundation Limited.

The shop also ran a raffle, with prizes including a day at the races, an evening at Kinsley greyhounds, a Leeds United or Huddersfield Town football shirt, along with Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants rugby shirts.

The raffle raised an additional £100, which resulted in £250 being given to the One Community Foundation.

Sykes has been in big demand since racking up a 26th win of his professional career, over Femi Fehintola in December, and this week the 29-year-old was also on hand to open the new Smart Fitness gym at Dewsbury Sports Centre.

Sykes is the mandatory challenger to the British super featherweight title after picking up four wins from four fights in 2013, including winning and defending the English title.