Conditioning work key to improved form

Sykes has been working hard with conditioner John Tallant at the Central Boxing Club, based in Dicky’s Gym, Batley.

McGowan explained: “Gary looked like he was slowing down a little bit but I think it was that he hadn’t applied himself in training camps and hadn’t lived the life but with the back to back training camps and with Gary growing up and applying himself with his boxing its easy for me to do my job.

“You have also to put this down to the strength and conditioning work that John is doing. Before Gary was outworking people but he wasn’t bullying opponents but now he’s shortening his punches and his sheer strength is allowing them to bully them about the ring.”