[2] Sykes made his professional boxing debut on 23 February 2006 at the Town Hall in Leeds fighting journeyman Dave Hinds and running out a winner over six rounds.
In 2007 Sykes defeated Kristian Laight, Eduards Krauklis, Deniss Sirjatovs, Dwayne Hill and Carl Allen fighting in venues across the north of England including Barnsley, Wigan, Doncaster and Altrincham.
[5] On 29 May 2009 Sykes faced his biggest challenge so far against Anthony Crolla in an eliminator for British super featherweight Title, winning over the 10 round distance.
[8] On 20 November 2010 Sykes chose to enter the knock out style Prizefighter series promoted by Barry Hearn and televised live by Sky Sports.
The competition, which would provide the winner a prize of £32,000, pitched Sykes against former British and European title challenger Scott Lawton in the quarter finals in a bout which he comfortably won.
[10] The fight, at the Huddersfield Sports Centre, resulted in a close points victory for Sykes after suffering a knockdown in the ninth round, eventually running out a 116–112, 115–112 and 115–113 winner.