By Jason Frost
BRIGHTON’S Harvey Dykes is an old school ticket seller. In an era when clicks, controversy and even surnames count, his impressive following has developed traditionally amongst a close-knit, working-class community.
Dykes was born and bred in Whitehawk, a gritty eastern suburb of a seaside resort better known for its vibrant nightlife, Victorian promenade and well to do neighbour Hove. It is the type of area where, to borrow a football term, you can become one of their own.
“We all look out for each other around here,” the southpaw explains. “If one of us is in trouble, we are all in trouble. It is all I have known, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I was raised here, my parents were raised here and their parents before that. My friends’ parents are mates with my mum and dad. I went to nursery with some of my best friends. That is how we are.”
Harvey sold over 300 tickets for his professional debut (a points win) in March on a Harlem Eubank undercard. It was no surprise that event promoters Wasserman held his four-rounder back until after the main event, an old trick to keep his vocal supporters in the arena.
There will be closer to double that cheering him on for his sixth professional outing this Friday (March 7th) back at the Brighton Centre.
“We have had to go back for more tickets several times now. There has been a good amount of notice for this fight, so everybody is trying to make it. I really appreciate it, because it isn’t a cheap night out.”
It is easy to see why Dykes is popular; affable, open and authentic, you get what you see. He hasn’t needed to contrive a following; he is one of them.
“I don’t really like to call my supporters fans. It doesn’t sit right. I see them more as my mates. We all watch Whitehawk (semi-pro, Isthmian league) and Brighton together. We all play pool at The Ruby (a lively local where they pour him a pint of water as soon as he walks in). I’m not very good though – stick to boxing!”.
Dykes is, however, more than a just ticket seller. He has amateur pedigree.
In 2022 he reversed a decision to Gideon Antwi in the previous year’s final to win the National Amateur Championships at super heavyweight, the modern-day equivalent of the ABA title once held by both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
This would normally secure wider recognition – particularly when coupled with an impressive following – but headlines have been hard to come by, even in the local media.
“I don’t get a look in really, even in the papers here. I am not sure why. I have made a little bit of history by being the first ABA champion from Brighton this century (Scott Welch was the last in 1992) but it doesn’t get a lot of attention.
“Maybe it’s because they see us as being over here on Council estates, a bit out of town. I also don’t have a famous surname, but it is nothing against the other boxers in Brighton. I like them all. You couldn’t get a nicer bloke than Harlem (Eubank, who tops the bill on Friday).”
A lucrative professional contract often associated with national amateur titles hasn’t been forthcoming either. Fortunately, Dykes has been able to fall back on support from within his community to train full time.
“I had chats with a lot of people, was promised a lot of things, but nothing happened. It made things very difficult; I sold my disposal business, then didn’t fight for nine months. I was starting to think that maybe I had made the wrong decision.
“Then I got support from a local construction business (The Sussex Building Company) and that took a weight off my shoulders. I couldn’t do this without them.”
Dykes is under the guidance of respected trainer Don Charles, who also guides IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, working at his Finchley gym three days week. Second trainer and cutsman Luke Hewett, once a handy amateur himself, takes care of the rest at Whitehawk Boxing Club, the first gym he ever stepped into.
He has moved along to 5-0 (all points) as a professional heavyweight, but will now be campaigning a division down, and possibly beyond in the future.
“My next fight is at Bridgerweight. With the help of a nutrition company (Traact) I have lost 10 kilos – mostly by cutting out carbs. I feel good – really healthy. The problem with Bridgerweight is there are no domestic titles I can fight for, but I think in time I can do cruiser.”
Dykes believes that he fights best when an opponent is coming onto him, much like his local premier league team.
Italian Stefano Capone (5-5), who stands in the opposite corner on Friday night, may well oblige. He has a win one, lose one record and won’t be coming to survive.
“Everyone I have boxed so far as a pro has just covered up. I have fast hands and good feet, so I need someone to be trying to hit me. That is why we have gone for this guy.
“My power is going to carry down to Bridgerweight as well. I am going for it; I am going to get those openings now and get that knockout.”
