John L Gardner defended his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles against Paul Sykes
Date: June 26, 1979
Venue: Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Gardner stance: orthodox
Sykes stance: orthodox
John L Gardner was a popular British heavyweight from Hackney, London. As a pro, he won his first 24 bouts before falling short in the first round by a journeyman called Ibar Arrington. Gardner regrouped and 15 months and two fights later he won the British and Commonwealth titles that had been vacated by Joe Bugner. His opponent, Billy Aird, retired in the fifth round. His next fight was a fairly routine seventh round stoppage against Greg Sorrentino. In February 1979, he faced American fringe contender Mike Koranicki, forcing a halt to proceedings in the ninth round.
Gardner's first defence of his titles came four months later, when he faced Paul Sykes. The challenger spent a large portion of his adult life in prison, and was considered one of Britain's most difficult and controversial prisoners. He boxed as an amateur while incarcerated, and many observers felt he had the size and talent to be very successful, but alcohol abuse and life in prison made it an almost impossible task. As a 16 year old amateur, he had travelled to Germany for an international bout and ended up paralytic and being carried out of a bar the night before. It was no surprise when he lost his fight the next day.
The British Boxing Board of Control was reluctant to give Sykes a pro boxing licence, but in February 1978 they allowed him to begin his career. Sykes was disqualified in his second fight for a deliberate headbutt. A wild fight with future British champion Neville Meade saw Sykes overcome a third round knockdown to end it in the fifth. A draw against Neil Malpass - the opponent he had lost to earlier by disqualification - was next. Three fights, and three wins, later, he was given his big chance against Garner.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
John L Gardner - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/8671
Paul Sykes - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/22468
Date: June 26, 1979
Venue: Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Gardner stance: orthodox
Sykes stance: orthodox
John L Gardner was a popular British heavyweight from Hackney, London. As a pro, he won his first 24 bouts before falling short in the first round by a journeyman called Ibar Arrington. Gardner regrouped and 15 months and two fights later he won the British and Commonwealth titles that had been vacated by Joe Bugner. His opponent, Billy Aird, retired in the fifth round. His next fight was a fairly routine seventh round stoppage against Greg Sorrentino. In February 1979, he faced American fringe contender Mike Koranicki, forcing a halt to proceedings in the ninth round.
Gardner's first defence of his titles came four months later, when he faced Paul Sykes. The challenger spent a large portion of his adult life in prison, and was considered one of Britain's most difficult and controversial prisoners. He boxed as an amateur while incarcerated, and many observers felt he had the size and talent to be very successful, but alcohol abuse and life in prison made it an almost impossible task. As a 16 year old amateur, he had travelled to Germany for an international bout and ended up paralytic and being carried out of a bar the night before. It was no surprise when he lost his fight the next day.
The British Boxing Board of Control was reluctant to give Sykes a pro boxing licence, but in February 1978 they allowed him to begin his career. Sykes was disqualified in his second fight for a deliberate headbutt. A wild fight with future British champion Neville Meade saw Sykes overcome a third round knockdown to end it in the fifth. A draw against Neil Malpass - the opponent he had lost to earlier by disqualification - was next. Three fights, and three wins, later, he was given his big chance against Garner.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
John L Gardner - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/8671
Paul Sykes - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/22468
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