Promoter vows to 'bring Gary home'
PROMOTER Frank Maloney has vowed to do everything in his power to ensure Gary Sykes fights in front of his home-town crowd for his next British super featherweight title defence.
Maloney has been impressed by the level of support Sykes has attracted to Huddersfield, both for his title victory over Andy Morris in March and last Friday's superb first defence against Belfast's Kevin O'Hara.
However, Maloney now wants Sykes to fight in Dewsbury, in what would be a massive sporting event for the town.
Dewsbury Sports Centre hosted the likes of Herol Bomber Graham and Henry Wharton in the late 1980s and early 1990s and Maloney plans to visit the venue in the hope of putting on a show in early autumn.
After Sykes's success over O'Hara, Maloney said: "The crowd in Huddersfield have been excellent. They took a time to settle but as the fight went on, they really warmed to Gary and the crowd helped him.
"The likes of Henry Wharton, Paul Ingle and Naseem Hamed all had a big Yorkshire following and I think Gary has the potential to be like these.
"Paul Ingle didn't just sell tickets in Scarborough, people came from all over Yorkshire and I think they will do the same to watch Gary.
"He is a likeable lad, he is an honest fighter with an exceptional work-rate."
Sykes admitted that fighting in Dewsbury would be a dream come true.
He added: "I already feel like something of a hero in the area but if I could fight in my home town I certainly would feel like the pride of Dewsbury. I am sure the place would be packed to the rafters and it would be really jumping, my fans would take the roof off the place."
Speculation has already begun as to who Sykes's next opponent may be.
There is the possibility of a re-match against Morriswhile another option would be a re-match with Anthony Crolla, who Sykes defeated in a British title eliminator.
However, the fight everyone is talking about is a potential West Yorkshire clash with Carl Johanneson, who is also promoted by Maloney.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 12 February 2012
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