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Sykes vs. Morris

3/05/2010 - Sykes/Morris

MATCH-UP: Gary Sykes vs. Andy Morris

DIVISION: vacant BBBofC British super featherweight title � 12 Rounds

FIGHT DATE: Friday, March 5, 2010 @ 5 pm EST on United Kingdom SKY

LOCATION: Leisure Centre Huddersfield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

RECORD: Sykes: 14(4)-0(0)-0 Morris: 18(6)-2(2)-0

BETTING LINE: Sykes - 125 Morris +100

RATING:
(Rating Explanation...)

Fight Summary | The way I see it | How I would bet on the fight

Fight Summary:
Good domestic battle with Gary Sykes taking on Andy Morris for the vacant British crown. The winner moves up the ladder with bigger things on the horizon, perhaps with European title implications.

The way I see it:

Morris is a good boxer and was once highly regarded after wins over John Simpson and Rendall Monroe. But Morris fell off the tracks with two stoppage losses (one by cut) to Simpson in rematches. Their third fight was poor result S Morris was legitimately stopped in that contest.

Morris took 18 months off to regroup and returned with 3 wins over soft opposition in 2009. and he has moved out of the featherweight division up to 4 pounds, to 130 for this bout.

Sykes was a solid amateur boxer, as was Morris, who brings, pressure and an excellent work rate to his bouts. He may not be the pure boxer that Morris is, but he does have speed and seems to be fighter on the rise in this bout.

Morris has faced better opposition but Sykes has a solid win over fellow prospect Anthony Crolla last May. Sykes has stayed busy with 2 wins since that contest.

Morris’s win over Rendell Monroe in 2005 is impressive in retrospect as Monroe has moved on and become a European champion. However, Monroe, after the loss moved down to 122 where he was able to have his greatest success. He simply wasn’t as strong as a featherweight.

Neither fighter is known for their power and I do expect a long, competitive fight. Morris is a late sub, although he was in training, stepping in for competent Ricky Burns. Sykes is fighting on home turf and think his pressure and tenacity can see him through to a close, points win.

How I would bet on the fight:
I’m putting 2% of the BoxingForecast fund on a Sykes win. Betting line came from thegreek.com. I give Sykes about 55% chance of a win. If the betting line drifts up to -150 or more, I’d consider passing on this play.

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