Prospect Sam Evans is feeling just champion
Wednesbury's Sam Evans plans to show he's got the potential to become a champion himself in Cannock on Sunday afternoon.
The 20-year-old is back in action at the Chase Leisure Centre with coach and boxing legend Ricky Hatton in his corner,
Hatton also co-promotes the show, which is titled 'Danger Zone,' with Errol Johnson's Black Country Boxing.
'The Hitman' signed up the Wednesbury Boxing Club graduate to two-year management terms last September and moved him to Greater Manchester, near to his gym in Hyde.
Evans turned pro the following month and has reeled four straight wins since, including a third round TKO on his debut. While still in the West Midlands, this is his first fight outside of Walsall.
His next six-round test will come in the form of Stourbridge-based Kevin McCauley, who has 140 bouts of paid experience and has held the Midlands welterweight title.
The grizzled veteran regularly goes in with many of the top prospects. Evans is keen to establish himself in that bracket and repay Hatton's faith in him.
He commented: "I don't like to say too much, but I think I have the kind of style that the fans like and I want to make a real statement.
"I'm an aggressive, come forward fighter and I believe I always put on a good and exciting show. Hopefully, this weekend, I'll give everyone watching something to talk about.
"I've had the perfect camp with Ricky. I've been working hard in the sessions with him in the mornings and then putting in extra runs in the evenings.
"I can't wait to see everything come together. I've been fighting quite often since turning pro and I'm happy to get as many under my belt as I can, before looking for titles in 2017.
"I'm only 20, so I've got plenty of time on my side and I'm happy to take the fights as they come, but everyone wants to get belts around their waist.
"With the speed Ricky is bringing me along, I think I could be looking at doing something as early as next year."
Another Hatton charge, Essex's Anthony Upton, co-challenges with Bloxwich's Luke Paddock for the vacant English super lightweight title in a 10-round main event.
Hatton will also lead Anthony's brother Sonny Upton, who has moved into chief support. He tackles William Waburton, who has won his last two fights, at super welter in an eight-rounder.
A six-rounder was due to take place between Nathan Gorman and Dave Howe, rescheduled from the bill of the rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko.
It was made for Cannock but has now been postponed for a second time, due to Hatton's heavyweight Gorman withdrawing because of a hand injury.
Hatton also handles middleweight Reuben Arrowsmith, from Market Harborough in the East Midlands. He faces Wolverhampton resident Viktors Drizlionoks at middleweight over six.
Newark's Chad Sugden and Cristian Hoskin-Gomez have been paired in a tasty offering at super middleweight again over six, with two four-rounders completing the line-up.
Burton's Leon Gower and Craig Derbyshire meet in a featherweight contest, while Derby debutant Sahib Singh Mann's light welterweight bow comes against Daniel Mickleburgh.
Tickets are still on sale, priced at £30 and £60 ringside. For more information and to buy, call 01543 504 065. Doors open at 12.30pm on the day, with the option to pay upon entry.
