Whitehawk’s Harvey Dykes has stepped in to face the highly rated former Olympic medallist Ivan Dychko over ten rounds this Saturday on Sky’s big Bournemouth bill.
The opportunity comes after a lengthy period of frustration for the 30-year-old, that saw a string of opponents pull out of fights against him.
"It has been a tough time," Dykes, who is trained by the highly regarded Don Charles, explained.
‘I’ve had title fights lined up and even an exciting opportunity in Denmark, but my opponents keep pulling out.
"For that to happen after you have almost finished a training camp, and gone to all that expense, really gets you down. Sometimes you wonder what it’s all about.
"But I knew if I kept training, kept my head up, that my opportunity would come.
"Ideally I would have had more notice, but I’ve ticked over since the last fight was cancelled and been able to sharpen up in the last week.
"This is a big opportunity for me on a big show, with new promoters in the sport (the Saudi backed Zuffa Boxing). This is the break I have been looking for since turning pro."
The popular Dykes, who sells hundreds of tickets wherever he fights, was a standout amateur, winning the same National Amateur Championships as Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Dychko also boasts outstanding pedigree, having medalled at two Olympics.
The 35-year-old Kazakh, who now fights out of America, has also stopped 14 out of 15 as a pro, but lost his last outing against Harvey’s gym mate Jermaine Franklin.
"He’s a good operator, very good,’ added Dykes. "He’s also 6ft 9in’ and has knock-out power.
"But I’m younger, fresher and he hasn’t been that active since turning pro. I think it’s all there for me. I just can’t wait now. I wish it was Saturday already."
For tickets please visit: https://tickets.bic.co.uk/30363/30364?promo=HDZ26BIC