Frank Maloney Boxing: Johanneson Targeting British Champion Sykes

Carl Johanneson hopes to put the pressure on British super-featherweight champion Gary Sykes this week.

Sykes (14-0) makes the first defence of his British super-featherweight title against Kevin O’Hara (17-5) at Huddersfield Leisure Centre on Friday and former domestic champion Johanneson (28-4) has an outing on the same card when he meets Pole Arek Malek in six round catchweight bout.

Promoter Frank Maloney is eager to match the West Yorkshire rivals later this year and says: “Carl is desperate for the fight and taking on Malek proves that.

“It was proving impossible to match Carl, and all we could get at short notice was Malek who usually boxes at light-welterweight and is much bigger.”

Johanneson recently made a comeback after losing the British title to Kevin Mitchell two years ago and is keen to mix it with Huddersfield’s Sykes. The Leeds puncher, 31, said: “I know that given a chance I can get my old title back from Gary.

“It was a tremendous achievement for him to beat Andy Morris and I think he will beat Kevin O’Hara this week. A clash with me is a natural and would put Yorkshire boxing back on the map because it seems to be forgotten at times.”

Malek (7-24-2) might have a patchy record, but is durable and been the distance with the like of Young Mutley, Craig Dickson, David Barnes, Lee McAllister and Nigel Wright.

Also on the bill is Blackpool light-middleweight Brian Rose (14-0-1) who boxes an eight rounder against Jamaican born Brummie Max Maxwell (11-9-2).

There are some tickets left price £30 and £70 from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com.