Graham Everett has helped produce three British champions – but Liam Walsh's victory was just that extra bit special.

'I have worked with Liam on every single fight,' he said, 'Since day one as a professional when the brothers, him and Ryan and Michael, went into the ring at this very place. Every single fight I have been with him – and that makes it feel special.

'I thought he was punch perfect tonight.'

Everett isn't a man know to throw plaudits around like confetti: they have to be earned, and on Saturday, Walsh earned his.

Cromer boxer Liam Walsh claims British title

'To be honest I thought he was superb,' he said. 'From the first round to the last round it was a great performance. It is what has been coming for a long time. It is most probably the best opponent he has faced – he fought a true warrior. He was a real strong man - every time he got hurt he came back, and he did that for 12 rounds.'

It looked all over in the opening round, when Sykes hit the deck.

'The last time Sykes fought for the British title he got dropped really early in the fight and he looked in trouble, but he came back and stopped his opponent. You can never count him out. He is a real warrior.'

Working alongside Everett nowadays is one of those former British champion, Jon Thaxton – and the former lightweight holder had some wise words for Walsh before the fight.

'Jon said beforehand – catch him with a right hand over the top – and that's exactly what he did,' said Everett.

Thaxton said: 'Nine times out of 10 the first punch an opponent will throw is a jab, so take his jab away, and every time he throws it, it will make him hesitate. Bang it, hit him hard and early and it takes the jab away.

'I thought the fight was over, but take your hat off to Sykes, to battle 12 rounds like that.

'But Liam was three steps ahead all the way through and, as Graham says, punch perfect.'

Cromer boxer Liam Walsh claims British title