Evans-Rivers bout is for the Midlands title

Tyler Rivers…ready to rumble in Cannock. Picture: Anup Bhatt

THE mouthwatering welterweight clash between Zach Evans and Tyler Rivers has been elevated to Midlands title status.

That’s yet another belt up for grabs on the bumper September 13 show at Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock, already top heavy with 10 rounders.

Promoter Scott Murray is currently scouting for TV coverage. The 12 bout bill, jointly topped by Sam Eggington and Jess Barry, deserves to be televised.

Evans, who will be boxing in his hometown, and Leicester’s Rivers were originally set to meet in an English title eliminator.

But when a proposed vacant Midlands welterweight title fight between Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards and Liam Gould fell through, the Board this week presented the opportunity to Zach and Tyler.

“That’s the right status for the fight,” promoter Scott Murray said.

It’s certainly a cracker.

Evans, from Cannock, has peeled off 10 straight wins and gained a reputation as a fearsome body puncher. After facing men with losing records, this is his acid test.

It’s the same scenario for Rivers, a former amateur national champ now based at Birmingham’s Eastside gym, but managed by prominent East Midlands fight figure Carl Greaves.

Like Evans, he’s been pitted against opponents who are no strangers to defeat. Unlike Evans, he came a cropper against one of them. The 25-year-old was outpointed by top journeyman Jordan Grannum – the only blip in seven outings.

“Bad day at the office,” Tyler told me. “I have no shame in losing to him, he’s good at what he does, he’s a hard, hard man. On the right night he’s capable of beating a lot of top prospects.”

Tyler said: “I know I’ll be the underdog, but I’m really up for it. It’s a great fight.”

*A public press conference to formally unveil the Cannock super-show takes place at the town’s Premier Suite this Sunday, August 10, at 2pm. Hosted by Steve Bunce, all fighters on the card will be present.