Evans hopes for less bloody job in third pro outing by Tom Podmore Feb 24th 2008

Halesowen light-welterweight Scott Evans hopes to keep his undefeated professional record intact when he meets Nuneaton switch-hitter Kristian Laight on Thursday night (February 28) – and also wants to leave the ring without looking a crimson mess. Evans met Birmingham veteran Karl Taylor at Walsall's Banks' Stadium in November and the fight came to a bloody end when Taylor, a former Midland Area champion and British title challenger, suffered a series of nasty wounds on his right eyelid and right cheekbone. Referee John Keane had little option but to call a halt to proceedings only 41 seconds into the third. But the 19-year-old Black Country prospect didn't leave the ring that night unscathed. He was also cut on the top of his head after a nasty-looking clash of heads during the second session and ordered by the ringside doctor to pay a visit to the hospital for stitches. And Scott is hoping for a cleaner, less blood-soaked victory at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, the site of his debut victory in October, this week: "It was more experience for me meeting someone as experienced and worldly-wise as Karl Taylor, who has been around the boxing scene for a long time. "I wasn't as focussed as I was when I had my first fight (a four-round shut-out over Birmingham-based Amir Nadi) but still thought I boxed reasonably well. He has a rock-hard head and took some excellent punches in the first couple of rounds. "I'm boxing another experienced and tough fighter, Jimmy Gill-managed Laight, at the Civic Hall this week and hope to beat him without getting cut or the fight ending on cuts. Even though I was ahead against Taylor, it was frustrating for the fight to finish in those circumstances. "I'm now ready to put on another good performance, like I did on my pro debut and for a couple of rounds against Taylor," admitted Jay Morris-trained Evans, 2-0 (1), ahead of the four-rounder. "I know I have the skills to do well in professional boxing." Enigmatic promoter Paul (PJ) Rowson, putting on his first professional card of 2008, added: "We were all extremely pleased with Scott's debut win in October and are sure that he will have a bright and assured future in the sport. "He was also in good form until the injury to Taylor, who never gives anyone an easy ride. Now Scott has to box a slippery boxer in Laight, who beat Martin Gordon the last time he was in the Black Country." Walsall's Matty Hough, 7-2-1 (1), tops First Team's eight-fight bill in the Black Country when he takes on Chelmsley Wood's Max Maxwell, 6-1 (1), in a Birmingham/Black Country grudge match for the vacant Midland Area middleweight title. Fresh from an impressive stoppage win in Las Vegas, Wolverhampton's Dean Harrison, 10-0 (2), goes over his first eight-threes in the chief support. Unbeaten Wolverhampton pair Rob Kenney, 4-0-1 (0), and Lyndsey Scragg, 3-0 (2), see action over six-twos and the bill also includes Stafford's Rob Hunt, 7-0 (1), and Birmingham heavyweight Neil Perkins, who makes his paid bow after an 11-fight (nine wins) amateur career with Dudley's Priory Park ABC. Brierley Hill's Martin Gordon, 0-4-1, goes in against Tamworth's Matt Ceawright, 0-5, in a four-round battle that should see one of the Midlanders finally get in the win column. Tickets are available from Paul (PJ) Rowson on 07976-283157, Errol Johnson on 07852-268333 or the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 0870-3207000.

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