Sam Evans is confident of victory as he prepares for what he describes as the toughest test of his professional career to date.
The Wednesbury welterweight, 8-0, faces fellow unbeaten prospect, Owen Jobburn (4-0) at the top of BCB Promotions’ ‘On The Edge’ show at the Banks’s Stadium, of Walsall FC, this evening.
Evans, who is trained by Ricky Hatton, has endured a gruelling camp ahead of the clash but is confident his hard work will pay off.
“This is the toughest fight of my career to date,” he admitted. “Jobburn will be coming at me; he’s coming to win. It’s a different fight to my previous eight where I have been the heavy favourite.
“I’ve trained like a beast. I’ve had a long, hard camp and I’m feeling fit and ready to go. I’ve trained like the underdog.”
Evans admits to not knowing too much about Jobburn but, with his Stoke-based opponent coming off a career-best win last time out, is expecting a war when the pair go head-to-head.
“Jobburn stopped Casey Blair last time out and although I haven’t seen much of him, I know he’s a big puncher who will look to meet me in the middle of the ring. That’s exactly what I want. I want him to come at me.
“I’ve seen what he’s said in the build up and I know he’s confident of beating me. I feel the same. I’m confident; he’s confident. I can’t wait to get in there now. My fans are in for a treat and I’d like to thank them, and my sponsors, for all their support. I’ll do them proud tonight.”
Fellow Ricky Hatton trained fighter - Chris Blaney(7-0) – is also in action.
The Irishman will also be looking to get himself in the mix at super middleweight as he faces Wiltshire’s Anthony Fox in what will be his second full season as professional.
Newark super middleweight Chad Sugden (5-1) bounced back from his shock defeat to Alistair Warren last year to defeat Raimonds Sneidze in May. Sugden, a former world champion kick-boxer, takes on Hungary’s Norbert Szekeres over four rounds.
West Bromwich light heavyweight, Josh Stokes (3-0), takes on former Sugden foe Sniedze whilst Chasetown lightweight, Luke Jones (3-1-1), steps in with Gloucester veteran, Andy Harris.
Standard tickets for ‘On The Edge, priced at £40, are available on the door.
The aftershow take place at Grosvenor Casino Walsall, Bentley Mill Way, Walsall WS2 0LE (just off junction 10 of the M6).