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Boxing
Lewis Sylvester hopes to emulate his hometown heroes and become Hull's next star
Watch Harper vs Zimmerman live Friday on DAZN
Lewis Sylvester steps into the ring on Friday to face Reece Mould, hoping a showcase win could thrust him into the mainstream spotlight.
The pair are set to clash for the IBO Continental Lightweight Title as part of the undercard to Harper vs Zimmerman in Doncaster - a card you can see live on DAZN.
A win would be a massive boost in the 27-year-old's career, and he already has high ambitions of following in the footsteps of some of his hometown heroes in Hull.
Having already fought for the British, Commonwealth, and WBC Silver belts, Sylvester believes over Mould would set him on the way to emulating local names such as Tommy Coyne and former footballer Dean Windass - someone he got to know at the beginning of his boxing career.
“During the Covid lockdown, I ended up doing some building work with Dean [Windass]," Sylvester told SportsBoom.
"We’re both from the same part of Hull but I told him ‘I’m the king of the area now. It belongs to me! Joking aside, he was a really top guy. He was going around just terrorising everyone, living the life as he does.
“I’m a plasterer and so that’s what I was doing. Dean was helping the boss out with all the complicated stuff and the promotional side of the business, and we didn’t really work together as such. Well, not unless I asked him to be my assistant!
"Seriously, it was great to meet him and see how much people admire and respect him. When you look at what Dean achieved in his game, it makes you want to do the same.”
(GBM Boxing)
Windass made nearly 300 appearances for Hull City and wrote his name into the club’s history books by scoring the winning goal during 2008’s Championship play-off final at Wembley, but he's not the only local hero that Sylvester has rubbed shoulders with.
When he returned to boxing as a teenager, Sylvester also sparred with former Commonwealth champion Tommy Coyne and took inspiration from the fighter.
“I started boxing when I was six and then gave it up for a while, before going back at 16. I did well as an amateur, beating kids who had lots more experience than me."
"But I used to do quite a few sessions with Tommy and those showed me that I was better suited to the pro ranks. I could pick my shots much better, and the style felt right.
“Tommy fought whoever. He had that attitude and how can you not respect that? I’m the same. I’ll just take whatever opportunity comes my way and that’s what I aim to do again.”
Watch Usyk vs. Dubois 2 exclusively live on DAZN PPV, Saturday, July 19.
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