Zachary Evans will start as he means to go on with a target of more titles that would add to his stash.
He turns over in Dudley, close to his training base, when fight night arrives on Friday March 17, hosted by BCB Promotions. Top of the bill sees Ijaz Ahmed take on Marcel Braithwaite for the British Super Flyweight Title.
Evans debuts in the pro ranks after winning a host of prizes in his first calling of kickboxing, plus a boxing belt from his very-first amateur contest.
The 25-year-old, who grew up in Cannock, initially learned combat sports at the Huntington Kickboxing and Adrenaline gyms, in his hometown and Brownhills respectively.
He was living in York when he took up amateur boxing, at the Legions club, and picked up a strap in his first competitive outing, seeing off a now 6-0 pro in Joe Garside.
He joined Priory Park Boxing Club, in Dudley, upon returning to the Midlands and remains under their stewardship, with coach Mitchell Pearce following him into the pro game.
Evans signed off from the amateur code after 19 bouts, with 15 wins, and will become a part of the super welterweight division, but may later drop down to welter.
He said: “I lived in Cannock until I was 21, then I moved to York with my girlfriend (Megan) for a couple of years. I’m in Droitwich now and I train in Dudley.
“Me and Megan work for a family-run business (SAY Scaffolding), although I was originally a sparky (electrician). I started with that when I was 16.
“I started kickboxing when I was 13, first with light contact and then up to full contact. I had 30 fights and won them all, in full contact.
“I sort of knew that I’d end up boxing, so I joined a club (Legions) when I was in York and had my first amateur fight. It was for a belt (Yorkshire Elite Challenge).
“The champion (Joe Garside) was defending his title and I managed to beat him (unanimously on points). I had 11 bouts for them, in the end, and only lost twice.
“I was looking at gyms when I moved back to the area and committed to Priory Park. What I saw there made me go with it. I had eight (won six) more, in the amateurs, for them.
“There’s amateur and pro experience with the coaches there (Paul Gough and Mitchell Pearce). Mitchell has got his pro licence now and will carry on training me.
“I can box and move, when I need to, but I do like to get into a fight as well. The goal for me is the same as when I was kickboxing – to win as many titles as possible.”
Tickets for the Venue bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
