Kays is on a mission

Jon Kays

BOXING: SUPER-featherweight ace Jon Kays has told manager Steve Wood he wants deliver a WBC international silver title fight - at Oldham Sports Centre.

Hurst Cross star Kays (31) missed out on a crack at the prestigious belt on Saturday as two scheduled opponents pulled out.

“2-Smokes” still fought at the weekend and took his professional record to 20 wins from 25 fights with an 80-73 victory against Wiltshire’s Liam Richards. But the WBC title is the one he wants, sooner rather than later.

Kays said: “I was annoyed because I’d worked so hard for eight weeks thinking I was fighting for a title that would have given me a top 15 world ranking.

“I’ve ended up fighting someone who’s probably not even in the top 50 in Britain over eight rounds, so it has been hard to motivate myself. But at the end of the day you’re a professional athlete and you have to stay focused.

“If we can get that WBC international silver title fight in Oldham that’d be great – it’s my house isn’t it? That’s the belt I want next on my mantlepiece – one that’s mine to keep forever.

“We’ll get it. I’ve got the best manager out there who will deliver this title fight.”

Reflecting on his performance on the latest VIP Promotions show to hit the town, Kays added: “There had been a few frustrations after having six months out, but once I’d got the first four rounds out of the way I was feeling like my old self again.

“The work rate was there and I felt I was good value for the margin of victory in the end. There was a bit of ring rust, but I got it out of my system.”

simonsmedley@oldham-chronicle.co.uk