Budding electrician plans to shock the world

Zac Evans, from Cannock, defeated Jean Marie Pierak to claim the EFK European Welterweight Championship at the Lincoln Fight Factory.

After a slow-paced first round, Evans stepped up the pressure in the second and connected with a left hook, followed by a decisive kick.

The combination proved too much for the French opponent and Evans won by technical knockout, just two rounds into the seven-round fight.

The title bout was also an eliminator event, meaning Evans will have the opportunity to fight an opponent, who is yet to be confirmed, for the PFK World Championship in New York in November.

Prior to that though, Evans will fight for the TFC European Championship in three weeks at the Brownhills Adrenaline Kickboxing Studio.

Zac, who is currently completing an electrical apprenticeship at Stafford College, is looking to dominate the welterweight division and has ambitions of turning professional.

He said: "It's fantastic to win the European championship for the UK and bring the title back to Staffordshire.

"It took the first round to gauge the distance, but once I did I managed to take effect with some power shots.

"I've now got some really exciting opportunities ahead of me and the chance to go up against tougher opponents.

"My aim is to get to world level in my weight, unify as many titles as I can, then move up a weight. I do hope to be a professional one day.

"I'm now focused on my next fight in three weeks' time and later in the year will be heading off to New York to challenge for the world championship."

Zac has now been kickboxing for more than five years, winning 10 titles – including British belts and world championship gold medals. He has won all 12 of his fights.

Chris Bladon, who is a former world and European champion, has been coaching at the Brownhills Adrenaline Kickboxing Studio.

And, even though he has only been there for a few months, Evans feels he has improved a lot in that time.

He added: "I moved there at the start of January and I have improved a lot. I have a good diet and I'm eating right. I'm in the best shape I have ever been in."

Zac's twin brother Owen is also a kickboxer and the progress of both can be followed by searching the Evans Twins on Facebook.