British Scene: Gary Sykes vs Andy Morris Preview

Dave Oakes previews Friday night's British super-featherweight title match-up between Gary Sykes and Andy Morris.

This Friday’s Sky main event is an intriguing battle between Huddersfield’s Gary Sykes and Manchester’s Andy Morris for the vacant British super-featherweight title.

Sykes, 14-0 (4KO’s), got this title chance by defeating Anthony Crolla on points in an undercard classic last year. Crolla is a very good young fighter and Sykes’ victory over him is undoubtedly the most impressive result on his undefeated record. It was a hard fought battle but Sykes’ superior fitness and strength helped him to produce a strong enough finish to take the decision.

Morris, 18-2 (6KO’s), is a former British featherweight champion who was considered a potential star a few years ago. His career got off to a flying start; he went undefeated in his first fourteen fights, winning the British title in his thirteenth, before his career stalled following two defeats against John Simpson.

Morris had already defeated Simpson to win the title and he followed it with a points victory over Rendall Munroe – a win that’s looking more and more impressive as Munroe’s career progresses. He was expected to beat Simpson in their rematch but suffered a horrendous cut that brought proceedings to an abrupt end in the fifth round.

The much anticipated rubber match between the pair was very one-sided as Morris, who looked weight drained, took a frightful beating before getting knocked out in the seventh round. The defeat looked like it had ended Morris’ career, but after pondering his future he returned eighteen months later with four round points victory over tough journeyman Youssef Al Hamidi. He’s had a further two fights since, winning both comfortably.

Sykes and Morris have similar styles, both are busy, skilful pressure fighters and both like to throw body shots. My boxing brain is telling me Sykes should win this fight, he’s the fresher fighter, the bigger man and has hometown advantage, but I’ve just got a hunch that Morris will edge a close decision. I feel Morris will be better suited to the super-featherweight division and his experience will give him the edge in the close rounds.

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