Jon Kays has got revenge on his mind – but knows he cannot look past his next outing when he defends his English super-featherweight belt against Lee Glover at the Oldham Sports Centre on March 8.
Ashton under Lyne’s Kays is desperate for a return with either of the only two men to have beaten him in title fights – Gary Sykes and Liam Walsh. And with that pair due to contest the British crown in the near future, Jon is hoping to put himself in the frame for ‘pay back’ by making a successful first defence against Glover, live on VIPBOXING.TV.
“He’s a massive challenge,” reflected Kays on his upcoming Oldham fight, “but it’s about not being complacent and not tripping up. I need to keep working hard and focus on Lee Glover, make sure there are no hiccups, because there are bigger fights out there for me.
“He’s a come-forward fighter and likes to have a scrap. He’s got a good amateur background, like me. He’s not been very busy as a pro, but I think it’s an even match. I’m looking forward to being involved in another good scrap.
“Winning the title was massive for me. To finally achieve it, after fighting for titles twice before, was amazing. It’s not just any belt, is it? It’s a prestigious one, the English title. Hopefully I can defend it and it will open up bigger doors for me. But I’m not looking past March 8.”
‘2 Smokes’ Kays was stopped by Walsh in a 2011 Commonwealth title fight bid, and beaten on points by Sykes for the English strap in April last year. The 30-year-old believes, though, he is a better fighter for those reverses and that if he gets a return with either he will put the record straight.
“It would be a dream come true to get revenge on one of those two. They’re both good fighters, but I’m just leaning towards Gary Sykes in their fight because his pressure and work rate is phenomenal. I think Walsh loses it a little in the middle rounds. Don’t get me wrong, he can punch, but Sykes is a tough kid and I think his work rate will be a bit too much.
“They’re the fights I’m looking for though. I love being the underdog and I love a challenge. It puts that fear inside and I wouldn’t want to be beaten again by either of them.”
Promoter Steve Wood explained: “Jon pushed Gary Sykes really close when they fought last year, but just didn’t have quite enough on the night. Against Walsh he gave it a really good go, and was in a terrific fight. He’s learning all the time though and it just shows the level he is at when he is pushing these kinds of fighters hard.
“Lee Glover will be coming to take the English title off him, and he is in for a hard test in Oldham on March 8. It’s a really good show with some exciting emerging talent on like Liam Taylor Keep an eye out also for hard-hitting cruiserweight Jack Massey who will be having his fourth fight, as he looks a bit special.”
VIP Promotions present Jon Kays defending his English super-featherweight title against West Midlands’ Lee Glover at the Oldham Sports Centre on March 8. Appearing on a top undercard will be Middleton’s Warren Tansey, Alex Rutter, Matthew Ryan and Liam Taylor; Heywood’s Mark Thompson; Oldham’s Marvin Greaves and Ashley Mayall; Derbyshire’s Jack Massey; Lancashire’s AJ Faizy, and Liverpool’s Anthony Smith. Manchester’s Dale Coyne will make his debut.
Tickets, priced at £30 (General) and £60 (Ringside), are available from all boxers or at vipbe.co.uk
The show will be streamed live and free on VIPBOXING.TV
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