CHRIS ASTON believes Gary Sykes needs to take a step back as he plots the next move in his boxing career.

The disappointed Dewsbury fighter is coming to terms with losing his British super-featherweight title to Gary Buckland.

The Welshman won on points in Sheffield to deny Sykes, who was making his third defence, outright ownership of a Lonsdale belt.

A rematch is a real possibility, because the Sky Sports-televised fight held attention through all 12 rounds.

But Aston, the 27-year-old’s fight manager, says Sykes needs to tweak his training methods after a second defeat in 21 bouts.

“Gary was on the phone as soon as the dust settled to ask what he needs to do to bounce back,” said Aston.

“We know all about his courage, stamina and speed, but my advice is to get back to basics and do some hard work on technique.

“It’s something we did with (former world super-flyweight title challenger) Dale Robinson, and in many ways, Gary’s situation is similar.

“Like Dale, he was a brilliant amateur – Gary captained England and was a regular sparring partner of Amir Khan – but sometimes you need to alter things to suit the professional game.

“The good thing is that Gary has the desire to do it, he certainly has the talent and at 27, he has the time.

“It’s the job of myself and (trainer) Julian McGowan to get him back on course, and I’m confident we’ll do that.”

On a rematch with 25-year-old Cardiff fighter Buckland, whose record is now 24 wins and two losses, Aston added: “It would be good to do it again.

“All the parties concerned are interested and I’m sure it would have spectator appeal, because Saturday’s contest was great to watch.”

Buckland, who also inflicted Sykes’ other defeat, in the three-round Prizefighter format, said: “It was a good 12-round fight and Gary was really, really fit.

“I seemed to out-box him in the first couple of rounds and then he came back. But I kept strong and kept my head screwed on.”