Exclusive: Inspired by Dean Windass and Tommy Coyle, Hull Boxer Lewis Sylvester Plots His Route to the Top

Lewis Sylvester has revealed how two legends from his home city of Hull inspired him to chase his boxing dream.

Speaking as he prepares to enter the lions’ den on Friday - when he fights local favourite Reece Mould at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco Power Stadium - the 27-year-old retraced his journey from the mean streets of Gipsyville to arguably the most eagerly anticipated show in South Yorkshire since Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood locked horns nearly 18 months ago.

Despite including a bout for the British, Commonwealth and WBC Silver belts against the notoriously heavy-handed Sam Noakes, Sylvester described meetings with Dean Windass and Tommy Coyle as pivotal moments in a career which is set to ignite if he adds Mould’s name to his collection of 15 professional scalps.

“During the Covid lockdown, I ended up doing some building work with Dean,” Sylvester explained during an exclusive interview with SportsBoom ahead of arguably the most important assignment so far. 

“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.”

HISTORY-MAKER

Windass made nearly 300 appearances for City, writing his name into the club’s history books by scoring the winning goal during 2008’s Championship play-off final at Wembley. He also represented the likes of Bradford City, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Aberdeen with distinction. 

Windass has also been praised for his reaction to a recent dementia diagnosis and honesty about his battles with alcohol and mental health.

Before crossing paths with Windass, Sylvester also got to know another of Hull’s most famous sons. After returning to boxing, following a brief flirtation with football as a teenager, he trained alongside Tommy Coyle.

Reflection upon his sessions with Coyle, who claimed the Commonwealth belt in the 135 lb division by beating Sean Dodd in 2018, Sylvester said: “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.”

LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES

Like Mould, Sylvester has also held the English strap. But lacking the support of a major promoter, opportunities have not always come his way. 

After accepting the challenge of facing Noakes - something “Ten or 12 other people didn’t want to do” - Sylvester knows that beating Mould on a card being promoted by GBM could be his route into the big time.

“One shot can change your life,” he said. 

“One moment. Tommy and Dean know that. Winning this one gets me, hopefully, signed to a DAZN deal and one with GBM."

“I’ve got a great team around me, a really good and loyal following. I don’t duck anything and that’s why I’m so excited for this fight.”