Wednesbury Welterweight co-headlines Walsall show...
WEDNESBURY Welterweight, Sam Evans, says he feels like a “different fighter” to the one who switched ranks just six months ago.The recently turned 21-year old will be hoping to extend his professional boxing record to 4-0 when he co-headlines Hatton Promotions and Black Country Boxing’s ‘May-hem’ event at Walsall FC’s Banks’s Stadium on Saturday, 14th May.
And despite there being more than a hint of his trainer Ricky Hatton in his aggressive front-foot displays, Evans insists working with the former World Champion has made him a more controlled fighter.
“I’ve learned to take my time and apply educated pressure, rather than just being relentless,” insisted Evans. “A lot of that has come from Ricky [Hatton]. He’s a fantastic trainer and pad man and every time I work with him, Blain Younis, and Mike Jackson I learn something new.
“Since turning over in October, I’ve felt a massive improvement and I just feel like a different fighter now.” Evans penned a two-year contract with Hatton Promotions back in September following a successful two-day trial in Greater-Manchester.
His most recent success - a four-round points victory over Atherton’s durable William Warburton - was a telling demonstration of Evans’s progression as a well-fancied pugilist.
Despite competing for Wednesbury Boxing Club as an amateur, Evans feels his greatest improvements have been made in recent months as he looks to push on in his first full year as a professional boxer.
“Warburton was a good fight for me. He was very tough and durable and took a lot of shots on the night.
“I’d say it was a good learning fight. I needed someone who was going to get me the minutes and was tough enough to withstand the rounds.
“If they pair me with walkovers I’m not going to learn anything.
“But I’ve been sparring with some top guys since then and my technique has changed dramatically as well. “Every aspect of my boxing has improved. Whether it’s in training, in sparring or in fights I can feel it.
“When I was an amateur I was more of a basic aggressive fighter but because of the adjustments we’re making I box more now. I use my jab more and look to use a more technical boxing style.
“It’s all about controlled aggression and educated pressure now. It’s the way I’m looking to go. Work my way in with jab but if I see them hurt I won’t hesitate to pile the pressure on.
“Everything is going to plan. I’ve had three fights now and they’ve been three comfortable wins so hopefully I’ll move up to six rounds and continue my development.”
The six-fight event features another Hatton trained prospect in Nantwich heavyweight, Nathan Gorman, as he steps into the ring for his fourth professional fight.
Stoke super lightweight, Kieron McLaren, Stourbridge’s former Midlands Area Welterweight Champion, Steven Pearce, Newark super middleweight, Chad ‘2 Slick’ Sugden and former British Lightweight Champion Martin Gethin complete an action-packed card.
£30 standard unreserved seating tickets are still available by calling 07585 906 792 £60
VIP tickets with a two-course meal can be purchased at the Walsall FC Ticket Office or by calling 01922 651 416