Round 7 Sykes is ducking the jab and colliding into Kays from angles. Dangerous near-clashes become more frequent. Jabs poked at the body from outside by Sykes. Kays levels his, aiming out for Sykes' chin. In and out darting and underhanded whacks to the body combined by Sykes. Kays pushes down on Sykes' head. The ref speak to them. Light pit-pat body flurry by Sykes as they pass each other by, Kays pushing a lazy jab over his shoulder. Sykes advances, bouncing at the knees, and slips a 1-2 bobbing to one side. Jabs up and down by Sykes. 10-9 Sykes 68-65 Sykes
Round 8 Sykes is overwhelming Kays with hooks into the neck and under the ribcage on either side. Kays is trying to clinch. Sykes won't let up. Kays might go down from the body attack. He desperately wants a clinch. Big left rips above the belt line by Sykes. Kays finally drops his gloves down from his face. Sykes plants a hook on it. Defensive 1-2 on the backfoot by Kays. Sykes keeps shredding him with hooks. Kays steps as far as he can, washing up on the ropes and sticking a jab to hold Sykes off. Lead rights into the guard and hard-digging hooks to the belly by Sykes. Kays ducks low and Sykes sweeps a left hook over the nape of his neck. 10-9 Sykes 78-74 Sykes
Well, he is a total **** - but he's also in with a guy that everybody finds it easy to root for, a perennial underdog who in his last outing should've dealt a flash-over-substance prospect his first zero but got jobbed. So it's more pro-Diaz sentiment than strictly anti-Khan.
Round 9 Sykes is rushing in and hooking Kays in the right part of his abdomen. Flush right hand lead on the nose by Sykes. Kays can't find a punch to hold Sykes off, nor can he effectively clinch or escape. He thrusts a shoulder into Sykes to bump away but only buys himself a second as Sykes resumes his thresher attack downstairs. Kays begins returning the favor, taking big slices at Sykes' belt. Sykes darts out and jabs the body, taking a breather. 10-9 Sykes 88-83 Sykes
Round 10 Sykes is doubling the jab into Kays' face and pursuing. Kays tries a hook but gets tangled with Sykes' jab and pushed back. Lunging rights up top by Sykes. Jabs to the face by Sykes. Kays retreats and tosses out light 1-2s. Jumping midair body shots by Sykes. Shove-off by Kays. Big looping right by Sykes. 1-2 by Kays, just missing. Jab to the guard, right to the body by Kays. Becoming a war. Big hooks downstairs by Sykes leaning in. 10-9 Sykes 98-92 Sykes