By Terence Dooley

Ashton-Under-Lyne's Jon Kays took some big name support into his Commonwealth super-featherweight title tilt against defending champion Liam Walsh at Wigan's Robin Park Centre on Saturday night.  Billy Graham guided Ricky Hatton to the linear light-welterweight title; he is still a firm follower of the domestic scene. 

'The Preacher' often contacts BoxingScene in the wake of a tough fight to express his excitement and praise the combatants.  Indeed, the veteran coach has always had a soft spot for Kays; he had kept his fingers crossed throughout the contest and phoned through the next morning to say that the likeable boxer can come again.

“I've known Jon since he was a kid.  He's a really likeable lad.  A fantastic amateur in his day.  He fought his heart out last night.  I'm really proud of him.  Jon is a fantastic little boxer.  He fought a really good fighter, Liam is going places, and took some murderous shots.  Wow, Jon did so well to come back after the fourth round.  He definitely has a future based on what I saw and so does Liam,” purred Graham.

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