Zach produces best performance so far to dominate Stewart

Zach Evans is all smiles after victory over Stewart yesterday (Sunday)

ZACH Evans produced the most impressive performance of his unbeaten career to drop and dominate Stoke warrior Jamie Stewart yesterday (Sunday).

Fighting in front of home fans at Cannock’s Premier Suite, the 27-year-old buried a right into the former Midland champ’s body in the second before two left hooks to the ribs sank Stewart to the floor.

He rose at eight only to be caught again by a sickening left to the flanks that sent him to his knees for the same count.

The fact Jamie survived the four rounds to lose a lop-sided 40-34 decision on referee Peter McCormack’s cards speaks volumes for his courage and toughness.

Others would’ve folded under the relentless pressure.

The 32-year-old said afterwards: “That’s the way I fight – either they get filled in or I get filled in. I knew he was good, I’ve sparred him a few times, but I only want to go in with good people.”

That “live by the sword, die by the sword” philosophy is etched on Jamie’s flattened features.

In victory Evans, who took his winning run to double figures, made a statement. Not many have dominated Stewart so completely.

Trainer Mitch Pearce said: “Hopefully, this will make people take notice because fighters don’t do that to Jamie Stewart.”

Evans’ is now looking for Scott Murray, who promoted the bank holiday show, to land a title fight at welterweight. At present, the Celtic belt tops his wish list.

On the evidence of his most recent performance, Zach is ready. It was a technically correct body-snatcher beat down. One right in the second echoed as it thudded against Jamie’s side.

“Towards the end, I was a bit too excited,” Evans said, “I was marching in a bit. Over four rounds I’m relentless – I don’t need the stool between rounds.”

Evans (10st 13lbs) landed clusters of punches to head and body from the very start – and the power behind those body shots increased with each session.

Stewart (10st 12lbs) tried to rally in the third and connected with two rights, but nothing could stem the tide of leather coming his way.

By the final round, Evans was connecting with uppercuts and hooks upstairs before twisting his body to drive home those rib-bending shots to Stewart’s reddened flanks.

To his credit, the Potteries warrior took them, but may still be feeling them today.