The Hull boxer returns to action Saturday night
Lightweight boxer Lewis Sylvester
Lewis Sylvester will return to the ring on Saturday night in a new weight division, with a new promoter behind him and a new energy, but the goal remains the same. “I want to be the first British champion from Hull,” exclaims Sylvester in the manner that leaves no question about his belief.
For all the success of Olympic champion Luke Campbell and fellow lightweight Commonwealth champion Tommy Coyle, only Curtis Woodhouse – who promotes Saturday’s show at Connexin Live – has won the Lonsdale Belt from East Yorkshire, and Woodhouse is not from Hull.
A former British and Commonwealth title challenger in the lightweight division, 28-year-old Sylvester is entering his peak years and knows it’s time to capitalise on the undoubted promise that has been the hallmark of his career so far. It’s prompted a change to Woodhouse’s new promotion stable and a change in weight.
A total of 13 successive wins across five years led Sylvester to his British and Commonwealth lightweight shot against Sam Noakes at London’s Copper Box Arena. The fight came too early for Sylvester, who was stopped in the fourth round having been knocked down three times in the fight.
That night in London could have been a turning point with a drop down a division considered after the popular Hull man struggled to match the size of the far-bigger Noakes. A career-best win over Reece Mould a year later brought the IBO Continental Lightweight title, but it wasn’t the kick-start many expected to a career that is still awaiting it’s proper lift off.
“After I won the IBO I expected to get some calls, but no promoters came in wanting me for fights, nothing came off the back of it and I was disheartened,” adds Sylvester.
“I live the life and give this my all, but there were too many doors closed to me. I’m hoping those opportunities will come in 2026, so let’s see how we go. Dropping down a division will help me because I can be a big super featherweight, but I was never going to be a big lightweight, as the Noakes fight showed me.”
The drop from lightweight and it’s 135lbs limit (9.64 stone) to super featherweight at 130llbs (9.28 stone) may seem small to casual observers, but is massively significant come fight night and the weight difference a boxer enters a ring at having been weighed the day prior.
“It was the aim to go down to super featherweight previously, but now feels the right time,” explains Sylvester. “I’m confident I can make an impact at this weight and the aim is the same, win that British title and open some doors for others coming up.
“I’m excited for this show because it is about the Hull lads, it’s great exposure for Hull boxing. I know at this weight for me, everything has to be bang on. That’s given me a boost because now I’m fighting the weight also, so I have to get everything right.”
Finding a reason to focus in again was key for Sylvester, who admits the motivation to get up for six round contests against journeymen is tough at this stage of his career.
“This is my 19th fight now and I can’t keep doing six rounders,” says Sylvester. “I need hard fights, I need tough challenges and I need to be working towards something big. Hopefully that’s coming now.
“This fight gets me a ranking at super featherweight. I can use this as a learning fight at this weight, be switched on, get a win and then onto the next one early summer.”
Tickets for Saturday’s Battle on the Humber show are available from Connexin Live or contact Lewis Sylvester on Instagram.