A BOXER is aiming to become the next best thing by emulating the success of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

Harvey Dykes had two wins at the weekend, including one over the GB number one Courtney Bennett.

Dykes outfought William Howe on Saturday before beating Bennett on Sunday in the third round by cuts.

The referee had to call the end of the fight after she had examined the cut on Bennett’s left eyebrow and judged it to have been caused by a punch from Dykes.

Bennett was able to land some good punches in the bout, but Dykes was able to take them well and continue to fight.

The 25-year-old said: “Beating the England boxer was a big thing for me.

“He was four times national champion and he also fought abroad with England boxing.

“With that, I had some much confidence going to fight the GB boxer, who I had seen box over the years.

“So I had no fear and knew I could win the fight.

“He was expected to win and was the favourite basically, but I felt on fire and the whole day.

“I knew I was going to win as he had not fought anyone like me before.”

The Argus: Harvey Dykes outside Brighton Palace PierHarvey Dykes outside Brighton Palace Pier

The Brighton-based boxer has been praised by his coach Bill Davies, who is the brother of Ronny Davies, coach of Chris Eubank and Chris Eubank Jnr.

He said: “We always knew his fitness and good old fashioned boxing skills he would be good enough to achieve.”

This Saturday, Dykes will be in the National Association Finals in London, which is the oldest and one of the most prestigious amateur boxing competitions in the country.

He will be representing Hillcrest Amateur Boxing Club along with his coach Bill Davies.

Dykes will face Ike Ogbo, Border City, in what will be a repeat of the 2019 Development Class B final.

He won this fight against Ogbo by a unanimous decision, winning the gold medal in the 91kg final.

After that win, coach Bill Davies told The Argus: “Harvey fought his socks off.

“He displayed some old school boxing to see off the challenge of Ogbo.”

Ogbo has improved as a boxer since this defeat and beat Ste Ferguson in the semi-finals by a 4-1 split decision.

If he wins this weekend, Dykes will become the national champion, his dream is to be like Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua and follow in their footsteps in the new year.

Boxers Joshua and Fury both went through the national titles on their way to becoming heavyweight champions.

The competition also boasts other household boxing names such as Henry Cooper, Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, Ricky Hatton, Carl Froch, Tony Bellew, Nicola Adams, Savannah Marshall and Stacey Copeland as former winners of the national title belt.

In November, Dykes became the Southern Area champion at the elite level.

Dykes also has a younger brother called Charlie Dykes, who has just won the youth national championships.

This weekend’s showpiece Finals Day will see 39 bouts, including Dykes’.

21 of the fights will be in the Development levels across three rings.

These will be followed by 18 more fights in the National Amateur Championships on a single, standalone ring.

Dykes’ fight will be the last of the day and will start at 5.45pm on Saturday, the weigh-in for the fight will be in the morning between 8-10am.

The fight will be held at the University of East London’s SportsDock, spectators are welcome to come and watch and can pay for tickets on the day.