Walsh and Sykes collide for vacant british title

Commonwealth Super-Featherweight king Liam Walsh gets the opportunity to add the British title to his collection in his first fight of 2014.

Cromer star Walsh will clash with rival Gary Sykes for the Vacant British title and also puts his Commonwealth belt on the line on the big Copper Box Arena show on Saturday 15th February, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Undefeated Walsh, 27, won both his fights this year, coming through a tough battle against former two-time world champion Scott Harrison in April, when he step up to lightweight to win the WBO European belt, then inflicting the first loss to unbeaten rival Joe Murray’s record to win the WBO International Super-Featherweight title.

While Sykes, 29, who holds the English Super-Featherweight title, beat Femi Fehintola on points over eight rounds on Saturday night in Leeds to prepare for his showdown with Walsh. Dewsbury’s Sykes will be out to reclaim the British title that he won in March 2010 against Andy Morris, making defences against Kevin O’Hara and Carl Johanneson, before losing it to Gary Buckland in September 2011.

Walsh is delighted to fight for the British title before he moves on towards a potential European title challenge and onto the world scene later next year.

He said, “The British title is the one that all fighters want so I’m happy that the opportunity has finally arrived. Skye’s is a good fighter, he’s held the title before so he’s not getting greedy and winning it again! I respect him, he’s a tough fighter and I’m preparing for a hard fight, but I’ve got big ambitions in my career and I’ve got to beat Sykes to go on and achieve them”.

Sykes countered by saying, “Since I lost the British it’s been my mission to get it back, I said I didn’t care who held it or who I had to go through to get, I just wanted it in my hands again. Walsh is a fantastic fighter, I really respect him, but there’s got to be a winner and a loser in this fight and like I said I want my belt back. This is going to be a great fight for the fans and I’ll lay everything on the line on the night to become a two-time British Champion”.

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £70 and £120, are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or online at www.eventim.co.uk

Watch live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Join at www.boxnation.com

(Photo: BOX REC)