Victorious Kays is under orders

STITCHED UP . . . Jon Kays was cut for the first time in his career

JON Kays returned to the boxing ring after seven months with a welcome comfortable points victory, but he won't be in action again for a while.

Hurst Cross favourite Kays (33) extended his impressive professional record to 22 wins and one draw from 28 fights with a 59 points to 56 verdict against Ibrar Riyaz at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan on Saturday, but it came at a price.

CLASH

A clash of heads late in the second round left '2-Smokes' with a horrendous cut above his right eye, an injury which later required internal and external stitching.

Kays told the Chronicle that his wife-to-be Natalie has now put an end to any hopes he has of returning to the ring before the pair's forthcoming wedding.

Kays told the Chronicle: "The cut was a bad one.

"I was boxing fine in the opening two rounds and it felt great to be back in there, but Riyaz butted me towards the end of the second and my eye just opened up.

"There was blood everywhere and for a few seconds I could hardly see out of my right eye.

"It's the first time I've ever been cut in 22 years of boxing, but I knew this was a bad one.

"Somehow I managed to get through the six rounds and it just felt great to return with a good victory.

MARRIED

"However, I'm getting married in Las Vegas in September so Natalie has told me in no uncertain terms that I'm not to get back into the ring until after the wedding in case the injury opens up again."

Kays revealed that a July British super-featherweight title eliminator was on the cards if it hadn't been for the injury, but he vowed to return as soon as possible after returning from his honeymoon.

Kays has fought for the Lonsdale belt once before, when he lost to champion Gary Sykes in Dewsbury two years ago.