Super Feather Buckland Vows To KO Arch-Rival Sykes Again

Gary Buckland insists that he’ll prove his first round KO of Gary Sykes last year was no fluke.

Hatton Promotions super-featherweight star challenges for the Yorkshireman’s British crown at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on Saturday September 24.

Cardiff’s Buckland, 25, earned his chance by hammering Sykes in 45 seconds at a Prizefighter tournament last November when he landed the £32,000 winner’s cheque.

Despite that win, many are tipping Sykes to get revenge over the 12 round distance, but Buckland warned: “I am not going to let it slip. I am going out there to do a job.

“People say I caught him cold, but if I catch Sykes again the same thing will happen and he will be knocked out whatever round I land.

“Winning Prizefighter was a big achievement so the next step is to win a Lonsdale belt and Sykes is trying to stop me.”

Buckland has won 23 of his 25 fights. One of his defeats came when John Murray stopped him in the 11th round of a British and European lightweight title thriller in May 2010.

Buckland added: “It was a war against John Murray and he is a great champion. It was a great opportunity and I have learned from it. If I can go toe-to-toe with Murray I can do it with anybody.”

Also on the Sheffield bill, former European super-bantamweight champion – Rendall Munroe, boxes a ten-rounder against a selected opponent.

Unbeaten Sheffield boys Richard Towers and Adam Etches face Belarusian opponents. Heavyweight Towers is up against Yuri Bihoutseu while light-middleweight Etches boxes Yauheni Abdurazakau.

Deeside’s exciting light-middleweight – Tom Doran, boxes another steel city fighter – Jezz Wilson over eight rounds.

And the South Yorkshire city’s former Commonwealth light-heavyweight challenger – Billy Boyle, faces Welsh banger – Justyn Hugh.

Manchester’s former amateur star – Tommy Stubbs, makes his pro debut when he faces tricky Kuwaiti – Anwar Alfaldi, who boxes out of Brendan Ingle’s stable.

Another local fighter – Scott Jenkins, who has sold 300 tickets, bids for his second professional win against a selected opponent.

There are some tickets left priced £35, £55 and £75 VIP from 01925 755222. Be quick, this show will sell-out.

The card will be screened live by Sky Sports.