Harvey Dykes Closing in on Title Shot (Fights Saturday)

[Frostieballs]

Evening Argus, Brighton

https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/254954 ... day-night/

Harvey Dykes Closing in on First Title Tilt

Whitehawk’s Harvey Dykes is hoping that victory over Dorin Krasmaru at the historic York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday night will earn him his first shot at a professional heavyweight title.

The popular 29-year-old excelled in the unpaid ranks, winning the same title once held by Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to become Brighton’s first National Amateur Heavyweight Champion since Scott Welch in 1992.

An impressive performance against the London based Ukrainian live on talkSPORT this weekend may land him the opportunity to now also begin capturing belts in the paid ranks, with the Southern Area Title currently vacant and up for grabs.

“That’s my first target. It’s the traditional route before moving onto English and British Titles,” Dykes explains. “I think I am at that level now after my 6 pro wins.

“A good win on Saturday will really put me in the title picture as Krasmaru is a good fighter. It would really be the start of everything I have been working for.”

Dykes has certainly been putting in the hours. In addition to running his own waste clearance business, he has been travelling to London five days a week to work under respected trainer Don Charles, who guided Daniel Dubouis to a world title.

“I’m spending a fortune in fuel!” he joked. “But it has to be done. I wanted to be in the shape of my life for this fight, so I have been running in Brighton every day and then going up to London to Don’s gym.

“Don has really gotten behind me for this fight, it means a lot to know he has so much confidence in me. We have had some great sparring as well. I have got in loads of rounds with Jordan Thompson who is a really good fighter – he has fought for a world title before and only ever lost to Jai Opetaia (world cruiserweight champion).”

It isn’t just Thompson’s championship credentials that make him the ideal sparring partner. At 6ft 6’’ he is the same height as this weekend’s opponent and carries similar power.

“Krasmaru is a big fighter and can punch,” added Dykes. “But I am ready for everything he has got. Working with Jordan has helped to make sure of that.”

Dykes, who is sponsored by Sussex Building Company and Traact Nutrition, is always remarkably well supported; he was the biggest ticket seller on both televised Harlem Eubank bills at the Brighton Centre recently. His followers haven’t been deterred by a trip to the Capital:

“We are taking several coach-loads up so it is going to be packed in there. The York Hall always has a good atmosphere – people can get close to the ring, and you have the balcony right above. My lot are noisy as well. It is going to be electric; I can’t wait.”

[Frostieballs]

Did anyone catch this fight online?

Dykes seemed to do enough to get the decision. Won 4 of the last five.

However, the ref scores it 93-93.

Can anyone explain to me how you get 93-93 in 10 round fight with no deductions or knockdowns.

It was too close for there to be 10-8 rounds.

[Coco]

93-93??

7 rounds a piece?

Must have been 5 rounds each but had scored 4 rounds 10-8, 2 for each fighter

[Frostieballs]

93-93??

7 rounds a piece?

Must have been 5 rounds each but had scored 4 rounds 10-8, 2 for each fighter

That is the only way it could have technically happened, but there were no 10-8 rounds in there.

Possibly 98-98 and the announcer has misread the 8’s for 3’s.

[Coco]

93-93??

7 rounds a piece?

Must have been 5 rounds each but had scored 4 rounds 10-8, 2 for each fighter

That is the only way it could have technically happened, but there were no 10-8 rounds in there.

Possibly 98-98 and the announcer has misread the 8’s for 3’s.

Even then, 2 a piece with 6 even?

[Frostieballs]

93-93??

7 rounds a piece?

Must have been 5 rounds each but had scored 4 rounds 10-8, 2 for each fighter

That is the only way it could have technically happened, but there were no 10-8 rounds in there.

Possibly 98-98 and the announcer has misread the 8’s for 3’s.

Even then, 2 a piece with 6 even?

It was a close fight, but yes even that seems unlikely.

I’d be interested in your opinion on the fight in general Coco as an ex pro, who really knows his boxing.

Harvey came in as the underdog and away fighter and had only ever boxed six rounds before - but seemed to step up and do more than enough to win.

If you get a moment it’s 4 hours and 15 minutes in on this link…

https://www.youtube.com/live/TA3WuvGw5 ... tHvgsBg_tt

[Coco]

That is the only way it could have technically happened, but there were no 10-8 rounds in there.

Possibly 98-98 and the announcer has misread the 8’s for 3’s.

Even then, 2 a piece with 6 even?

It was a close fight, but yes even that seems unlikely.

I’d be interested in your opinion on the fight in general Coco as an ex pro, who really knows his boxing.

Harvey came in as the underdog and away fighter and had only ever boxed six rounds before - but seemed to step up and do more than enough to win.

If you get a moment it’s 4 hours and 15 minutes in on this link…

https://www.youtube.com/live/TA3WuvGw5 ... tHvgsBg_tt

No probs mate, I'll do my best to watch it properly by this evening

[Coco]

Even then, 2 a piece with 6 even?

It was a close fight, but yes even that seems unlikely.

I’d be interested in your opinion on the fight in general Coco as an ex pro, who really knows his boxing.

Harvey came in as the underdog and away fighter and had only ever boxed six rounds before - but seemed to step up and do more than enough to win.

If you get a moment it’s 4 hours and 15 minutes in on this link…

https://www.youtube.com/live/TA3WuvGw5 ... tHvgsBg_tt

No probs mate, I'll do my best to watch it properly by this evening

Watched it, I had it to Dykes by 5, 7-2-1

While there were some close rounds, I scored them to Dykes as he was busier and more accurate, boxed nicely too.

The Ukraine looked one dimensional with little variation of punch or ideas.

One thing you do have to remember is that it's very difficult to get a points win on an away show.

I imagine the scores were announced wrongly and it was 95-95.

While it didn't seem to affect his performance, Dykes is 3 stone too heavy

[mickey1975]

Dave Allen said a few nice words about Dykes and thought he won it.

[Frostieballs]

It was a close fight, but yes even that seems unlikely.

I’d be interested in your opinion on the fight in general Coco as an ex pro, who really knows his boxing.

Harvey came in as the underdog and away fighter and had only ever boxed six rounds before - but seemed to step up and do more than enough to win.

If you get a moment it’s 4 hours and 15 minutes in on this link…

https://www.youtube.com/live/TA3WuvGw5 ... tHvgsBg_tt

No probs mate, I'll do my best to watch it properly by this evening

Watched it, I had it to Dykes by 5, 7-2-1

While there were some close rounds, I scored them to Dykes as he was busier and more accurate, boxed nicely too.

The Ukraine looked one dimensional with little variation of punch or ideas.

One thing you do have to remember is that it's very difficult to get a points win on an away show.

I imagine the scores were announced wrongly and it was 95-95.

While it didn't seem to affect his performance, Dykes is 3 stone too heavy

Thanks Coco. That’s very kind of you.

I scored the same.

Harvey is between a rock and a hard place with the weight. He’d gone down to Bridger, which he can make easily. But didn’t get the opportunities. He had to bulk up fast for this one.

[Frostieballs]

Boos and confusion as Dykes has to settle for a draw

https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/255031 ... scorecard/

Whitehawk’s Harvey Dykes appeared to outbox his opponent Dorin Krasmaru at the York Hall on Saturday night, but was only awarded a confusing draw by referee Mark Bates.

Scores of 93-93 were announced to chorus of boos from a crowd that expected Dykes, a former National Amateur Champion, to have his hand raised.

After a nip and tuck first few rounds, the 29-year-old took control as he relaxed into the fight, found his timing and outworked a much bigger opponent. It was an impressive first outing over ten rounds, with the longer distance actually seeming to suit the Southpaw.

A mathematically improbable scorecard compounded the frustration for Dykes and his many supporters. A card of 93-93 implies that both fighters lost 7 rounds each, but there were only ten in total.

Further points can be deducted for knockdowns, penalties or rounds where a fighter was particularly dominated, but none of these seemed to occur.

“I won that fight. It is upsetting that I didn’t get the decision and the scores don’t even make sense,” said Dykes afterwards.

“We are going to ask the Boxing Board to explain how it could have been 93-93.

“They have either announced the wrong score or added the cards up wrong.

“But there are lot of positives to take from the fight. A lot of people tipped me to lose, but I was comfortable in there and did the ten rounds easily.

“I proved I am ready for a title shot. Let’s get the rematch on for the Southern Area.”