Hot new signing Bradley Evans to make pro debut.

Hennessy Sports27th January, 2009

Bradley Evans believes he has made the right decision in turning professional rather than waiting another 4 years for a crack at Olympic glory.

The 2008 featherweight ABA champion from Royston has signed professional terms with Hennessy Sports and has no regrets at not living the Olympic dream. Evans makes his pro debut on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s European Lightweight title defence in Norwich on February 28. Although still only 19 the teenager believes the time is right to switch codes.

“I could have waited for the London Games but so many things can happen,” said Evans. “You could get a bad decision in a qualifier or you could qualify and then pick up an injury just before the Games. It’s too much of a risk and I’d have gone stale waiting until 2012.”

Instead Evans is leaving behind a glittering amateur career that saw him win the Junior ABA’s and Four Nations Gold in 2007 before winning last year’s Senior ABA’s, where he also picked up the best boxer of the night award . “I think my style is a lot more suited to the pro game anyway and I’m really looking forward to getting my career started now.”

Evans will be in the capable hands of leading pro trainer Tony Sims and he says he’s already been put through his paces in the gym. “The training’s definitely a lot harder in the pro’s. It’s a much more physical game and it’s a completely different sport from the amateurs. I’m really enjoying it though and I’ve been sparring seasoned pro’s and champions like Lenny Daws so you can only learn from sharing the ring with guys like him.”

Evans isn’t making any bold predictions about his pro career just yet but is quietly confident about his future. “At the moment I’m happy to take it one fight at a time and work my way up. I think I can go all the way but I know there’s a lot to learn. I’m still young so there’s plenty of time and I know if I put in the hard work the rewards will come in the end.”

Tickets for Evans debut on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s European title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich on the 28th February are available from the Ticketline box office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.