By Scott Gilfoid: It’s looking like WBO super featherweight champion Adrien Broner (23-0, 19 KO’s) could end up facing 2nd tier UK fighter Gary Sykes (20-2, 5 KO’s) in a 10 round non-title fight on May 19th on the undercard of the Amir Khan – Lamont Peterson rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I’m still hoping that this fight doesn’t happen because I’d much prefer to see the 22-year-old Broner fight a live opponent and not just someone he can blow out in one round like the little known Sykes.
Sykes’ trainer Julian McGowen told the Batleynews.co.uk “We are going to tkae Broner into the trenches, to places where he has never been before…Broner is going to have to be on the top of his game.”
This is kind of hilarious because Sykes is so far out of his depth that it’s not even funny. This guy was blown out in one round by 2nd tier fighter Gary Buckland not long again in November 2010, and they want to put him in with Broner? Heck, Broner would make short work of Buckland, who has beaten Sykes twice. I mean if there going to pick out and easy 2nd tier fighter for Broner to destroy on May 19th, why not drag out the guy that defeated Sykes twice? I’m not into watching mismatches when it comes to HBO fights and this here Sykes-Broner fight shapes up to be a sickening mismatch of the first order. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. I can understand Sykes being brought in for some sparring duty, but why? Broner has no problems finding quality sparring partners in the United States, he doesn’t need a guy that he can mop around the ring with ease for a televised fight. Where’s the gain in destroying a 2nd tier guy on television?
It would be too easy for Broner to face a guy like Sykes because he doesn’t have the power, speed or the boxing ability to keep him in the fight for more than one round without getting blasted out. Sykes would likely struggle against previous Broner victims Eloy Perez, Jason Litzau and Vincente Martin Rodriguez, and torn apart by Daniel Ponce De Leon.
I sat through a few of Sykes’ fights on Youtube and I must confess I wasn’t impressed at all. I don’t see what the appeal is in picking him. I’m hoping Golden Boy Promotions can get someone better. If they want a UK fighter then they snatch Kevin Mitchell, Ricky Burns or John Murray. Those would be three easy fights for Broner but at least they’re technically world class. I’m not sure any of them would agree to fight Broner because he’s so dangerous, but at least make the effort.
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