Sykes squeezes past Morris

Gary Sykes claimed the vacant British super-featherweight title, maintaining his perfect record in the process, with a points win over Andy Morris.

The two fighters served up a domestic classic at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre that could have gone either way on the judges' scorecards.

In the end Dewsbury-born Sykes got the nod, two officials at ringside giving it 115-114 in his favour with the third scoring it 116-113.

Victory improves the 26-year-old's record to 15-0 and opens up plenty of possibilties for future opponents in a division full of British talent.

Very tough

"That was very tough," a delighted Sykes told Sky Sports afterwards.

"I thought I was going to take over in the middle rounds but Andy, he started boxing me and used some clever tactics. He grinded it out and it was a real close decision.

"I need to polish up in the gym, because it was my work-rate that took me through rather than my skills."

Sykes certainly finished the stronger but it had been Morris, called in as a replacement for original opponent Ricky Burns, who had impressed early on.

The Wythenshawe Warrior used his clever movement to stay out of the way of his swarming opponent while countering with some sharp shots, particularly to the body.

However his efforts in defence eventually caught up with Morris in the second half of the fight, forcing the 26-year-old to stand toe-to-toe at times.

With the partisan Yorkshire crowd off their feet the duo gave it their all through to the final bell, with local boy Sykes throwing punches to the end to get the verdict by a narrow margin.

"What can I say, we fought for the British title and Gary won. Fair play (to him)," an upbeat Morris said.

"Hopefully we can get it on again. It was a great fight, close I'd say. Fair play to Gary because he's got the decision on the night. I can't grumble and there's nothing I can do about it."