Focused Kays eyes a ‘massive’ chance

BOXING

JON Kays is determined to ruffle more than a few feathers when he returns to the ring at the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday, July 11.

Super-featherweight favourite Kays (32) will compete in his 26th professional fight during what is sure to be a massive night of boxing for Manchester, returning to the scene of his first title win – the International Masters strap – when he stopped Dai Davies in 2010.

Former amateur star Kays, from Hurst Cross, remains fully focused on getting back into British title contention after losing an epic scrap for the Lonsdale prize last summer to Gary Sykes.

He will bid to extend his record to 21 wins from 26 pro fights, hopefully in another title tussle.

“I’ll go in there on July 11 and shut a few people up because I’m looking to get back up the British rankings,” vowed Kays.

“This is a massive chance for me to make my mark on a massive bill.

“I’ve been asking to get on a big show like this again for quite a while now, and now I’ve got this opportunity I’m determined to grasp it with both hands.”

The Queensbury Promotions show promises to showcase a cracking night of championship boxing at the Velodrome on July 11.

Manchester hero Terry Flanagan will headline the ‘Turbo’ bill as he challenges American knockout king Jose Zepeda for the vacant WOBO World lightweight title.

Zepeda has halted 20 out of his 23 victims in the paid ranks so far, with a blistering 16 ko’s coming inside the opening three rounds.

The show also features British stars Billy Joe Saunders, Liam Walsh – a former opponent of Kays – and Jack Catterall all in title action, while Paul Butler, California-born Adrian Gonzalez, Tom Stalker, Steven Lewis, Joe Costello, Macauley McGowan and Andrew Cain complete the card. Tickets, starting at £40, are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or by logging on to: www.eventim.co.uk

An epic spell of boxing beckons for Manchester fight fans in July, with Chadderton’s Anthony Crolla set to fight for the WBA world lightweight title at the Arena just a week after the Velodrome show.