by @livefight
With all eyes on the top of the bill star Nathan Cleverly this weekend it would be easy to forget the packed undercard which is taking place at the Motorpoint arena.
One of the fighters eager to showcase his skills is Blackwoods Craig Evans (5-0)
After an explosive debut at West Ham’s Upton Park stadium in May 2010, when opponent Dan Carr lasted just 39 seconds of the first round, the 22-year-old has won two fights in Glasgow and two more in Liverpool.
Evans cant wait for his home fans to see him fight on welsh soil for the first time since turning over from the unpaid ranks.
“I’m really excited about it,” he said. “I’ve sold more than 150 tickets so there will be a lot of people there cheering me on and it’s going to be a brilliant night. It’s the biggest show I’ve been on and to be on the same bill as Nathan Cleverly is great.
“Hopefully if I keep doing what I’m doing I can keep progressing up the ladder. I want my name at the top in a few years time.”
Evans’ trainer Lee Beard is convinced that the youngster has the potential to achieve great things in the ring.
“Craig can go all the way to the top, I’m 100 per cent convinced,” said Beard, who has previously worked with Ricky and Matthew Hatton as well as two weight world champion Joan Guzman.
“He’s got a good promoter in Frank ******. He’s got a great mindset, great discipline, he listens and he doesn’t cut corners. I believe Craig can be a world champion.”
“He’s done brilliantly in his two years as a pro, showing improvement with every fight."
"What impresses me most is the way he holds his own with sparring partners who have much more experience in the game. Every time we step up the class in sparring Craig raises his game and shows his potential. Of course there is still loads to learn and it is my job to keep on top of things in training but if he keeps listening and performing the way he has been in the gym I really do feel he will go a long way"
