Hennessy Boxing: “Buzzsaw” Evans Looking To Cut Through Pro Ranks

Bradley “Buzzshaw” Evans will look to continue his professional apprenticeship at the Watford Colosseum on September 5th when he has his third professional bout.

The 20-year-old Royston super featherweight turned pro in February with a points victory before being held to a draw in his last outing which also came at the Watford Colosseum in May.

Evans will look to resume winning ways at the same venue next month as part of the undercard to the clash between Commonwealth Welterweight Champ John O’Donnell and upset specialist Tom Glover on a Hennessy Sports event which is live on ITV4.

Evans found the awkward style of Latvian Jevgenijs Kirillovs difficult to get to grips with on his last outing but he says he learned a valuable lesson from the four round contest which was scored a draw. “I’ve had time to reflect on that fight and I know that I’m a lot better than that,” said Evans.

“I wasn’t at all happy with my performance. I still felt I did enough to get the win but the referee saw it differently so I need to make sure I leave no room for doubt in future.

“He had an unorthodox style and he was a very awkward guy to fight but you’re going to come across guys like that in the pros every now and again. Myself and my trainer Tony Sims have had a look at the tape and I’ve worked hard with Tony in the gym on correcting the mistakes I made in that fight.”

Evans enjoyed a glittering career in the unpaid ranks including winning the 2008 ABA Featherweight title and being awarded the best boxer of the night during that year’s championships. Despite his amateur pedigree Evans says he’s working hard on adjusting his style for the pro ranks.

“I think any new pro has to adapt their style somewhat. In the amateurs there’s a lot of emphasis on movement because it’s a case of getting in a scoring punch and then getting back out of range.

“In the pros though you need to be prepared to stay inside a bit more so you can do some damage. It means moving your head a lot more and working on your inside fighting but that’s something that’s improving every day in the gym.”

Evans has been joined at Tony Sims Hainault Gym by fellow new pro Bobby “Boogaloo” Ward who also features on the September 5th event at the Watford Colosseum.

Ward’s record to date is identical to Evans with one win and a draw and Evans believes that the pair can remain unbeaten for a long time to come.

“We’re both campaigning around the same weight and we’re both at the same stages in our careers so we’re perfect sparring partners for one another right now. We’re both learning the game and working hard in the gym. Bobby’s a great prospect and the sparring really keeps me sharp.”

The two apprentices don’t need to look too far for inspiration with reigning Commonwealth Middleweight champ “Dazzling” Darren Barker currently the gym’s top star.

“Darren’s a real inspiration to guys like myself and Bobby. He’s at the top of his game right now and a real example to us of just what it takes to get to that level. Hopefully we can follow in his footsteps over the next few years.”

Another Commonwealth champ tops the bill at the Watford Colosseum with Welterweight title holder John O’Donnell squaring off with Maldon’s Tom Glover.

The chief support sees Lee Purdy and Peter McDonagh clash for the vacant Southern Area Welterweight title in a repeat of their first thrilling encounter last December that saw McDonagh emerge victorious on a narrow points decision.

Aside from Evans and Ward the undercard also features unbeaten light middleweight Steve O’Meara, and the latest prospects to role off the famous Brendan Ingle production line in Sheffield, heavyweight giant Richard Towers and the pro debut of Kid Galahad (subject to board approval).

Tickets priced £35, £40 and £75 are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.