For a man who readily admits he’s about to take on a life-changing experience, Lewis Sylvester is the epitome of calm. If the 25-year-old English lightweight champion does harbour any self-doubt or concerns relating to the challenge ahead, he should look to leave boxing behind and take up acting because it’s a performance of real magnitude.
Days away from a fight not just for the Commonwealth and WBC International Silver titles, but the Lonsdale Belt and the British title, the ever likeable Hull boxer cuts the figure of a man without a care in the world.
Weight has been made, easily, training is complete and now just the formalities of a press conference and a weigh-in are left to navigate before the biggest fight night of his life. Without hyperbole, Saturday night at London’s Copper Box arena does represent an opportunity to change Sylvester’s life.
Many have tried and come up just short like Tommy Coyle and Samir Mouneimne, but no boxer from this fair city has even won the British title. It’s a fact not lost on Sylvester, who despite his proud Gipsyville roots in Hull, has moved over to Doncaster for his training camp to live and work alongside trainer and manager Steffy Bull.
“It’s a legacy fight for me this weekend and I know that,” admits Sylvester, catching up with the Mail amid the mania that usually accompanies fight week. “It’s life changing, for a number of reasons. It’s a title and belt nobody from Hull has held before.
“I know Samir probably should have got the decision when he fought for it (against Ryan Walsh in 2015) and Tommy had a shot, so to be the first would be a huge deal. It’s not just the belt, it’s the doors a win opens and what comes next.”
Read next: Hull City's Premier League gamble as financial report underlines ambitions and sale warning
There’s no escaping the fact a victory in the capital on the Queensberry promoted show live on TNT Sports would open many doors for Sylvester. Local pride and attention is great, but by inflicting a first-ever defeat on opponent and reigning Commonwealth champion Sam Noakes, Sylvester would elevate himself to a whole new level, domestically and internationally.
Noakes may only have had 12 fights, to Sylvester’s 13, but he’s stopped all 12 opponents with a devastating display of power. One of Frank Warren’s big hopes for the future on the world stage, the Maidstone fighter starts the bout as overwhelming favourite to add the vacant British title to his two other belts.
“He’s got the power, that’s obvious,” admits Sylvester. “His record doesn’t worry me, I know what he can do, but he’s underestimating me. I’ve got the footwork, head movement, speed and agility, he’s just got the power. I know one punch can change everything in this sport, but he’s got to catch me first.”
Sylvester is without doubt one of the best technical boxers domestically in the division, if not the best. It’s a testament to the hard work of recent years to have climbed the ladder from troubled teen, to Tigers Trust employee and football coach, to Hull’s most celebrated current boxer and potential record breaker.
It’s a lot to take in, or it would be if you stopped long enough to think about it. “I’m not thinking about anything other than Saturday night and victory,” says Sylvester.
“There’s no pressure on me in this fight and for the first time that’s the case. It feels different, I feel different. You could look at it as this fight being a great experience, and I’m sure it will be, but I’m not approaching it like that. It’s a fight I need to win to get to where I want to be and I feel relaxed about it and confident.”
You can watch Sylvester’s triple title fight with Sam Noakes live on TNT Sports this Saturday.
