Evans-Stewart could be Cannock cracker

Zach Evans…fighting in his hometown. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB Promotions

CANNOCK’S unbeaten Zach Evans will face Potteries warrior Jamie Stewart in his hometown this Sunday in a battle that may steal the show.

That’s because Stewart, tough as boot-leather, simply doesn’t know how to be in a bad fight.

And there’s something about a Scott Murray promotion – this Sunday’s afternoon bill is at his Premier Suite, Cannock, establishment - that brings out the best in 32-year-old Jamie.

I’ve watched the former Midlands welterweight champ feature in two barnstormers at Murray’s exclusive Excelsior Sporting Club.

Back in 2023, he had Ireland’s former world youth champ Ray Moylette reeling and on the verge of being stopped in the final minutes of a six round war which ended all square.

In March this year, he and Frenchman Dassa Namana swapped big punches during another gripping draw.

That’s the way Stewart does things. He leaves it all in the ring. His career statistics are patchy, with four wins and four draws in 19 outings, but the numbers do not tell the full story. Jamie has faced top notch fighters and featured in a string of thrillers.

Evans, a kick-boxing convert, is not yet top-notch, but he’s getting there. The 27-year-old is unbeaten in nine and knocking on the door for titles. Having spent his early career as a light-middle, Zach is in the process of moving down to welter.

Under trainer Mitch Pearce he has developed into an easy-on-the-eye box-fighter who likes working the body.

And Cannock has become a real base for the local lad – this will be his sixth straight appearance on a Murray show in the town.

Stewart is what he needs – a hard fighter who comes to win.

“It should be a good fight, I hope it is,” Evans said. “I know I’m going to do my part. I like to get in and wear them down – and body shots are the way to slow them down.

“After this, we’ll wait and see if there’s a title fight, I know it’s coming. I’d like a Celtic title fight. It would be great to get it in Cannock, but I’m prepared to travel.”

That would definitely be at welter, Zach stressed.

“I walk around at super-welter (light-middle to old-timers like myself),” he said. “I’ve spent my career as a welterweight weighing-in as a super-welter and fighting middleweights. You’ll see the difference in power when I fight at my own weight.”

After the Stewart scrap, Zach prepares to answer bells of a very different kind. He gets married next month.