ROYSTON boxer Bradley Evans is one step away from fulfilling his dream – by becoming a Senior ABA Champion. The Crow spoke to the talented 18-year-old in May last year, after Evans ended his final bout in junior boxing by taking the under-54kg Junior ABA

ROYSTON boxer Bradley Evans is one step away from fulfilling his dream - by becoming a Senior ABA Champion.

The Crow spoke to the talented 18-year-old in May last year, after Evans ended his final bout in junior boxing by taking the under-54kg Junior ABA Championship.

He said then: "Hopefully I can now go on and do well in the Senior ABAs and get a call-up for the England squad. It's going to be an exciting year!"

Almost a year to the day, Evans, who is one of the country's most promising young boxers, has continued to shine by going on to represent the England senior squad and Great Britain at the World Golden Gloves Championship.

And now his meteoric rise in senior boxing has taken him to the final of the Senior ABAs, where he will meet Salford's Lee Gillespie at Bethnal Green's York Hall on Friday, May 16.

Evans said: "I'm really looking forward to the final and it should be a good one.

"Gillespie is a very good boxer - I saw him in his quarter-final and he looked tough.

"But I'm confident I can do well and now I'm just concentrating on the final."

Making a senior final in his first attempt shows just how good a boxer Evans is, and he has become the first in Stevenage Boxing Club's 60-year history to reach a Senior ABA final.

And he has got there in style after winning through a two-day quarter and semi-final in Sheffield.

Evans first saw off 24-year-old Combined Service Champion Corporal James Allen 18-5, before beating London ABA Champion, Junior Saheed in the semi-final.

The South London boxer cut an uncompromising figure for the 57kg featherweight division, with his height and reach offering Evans a more than capable opponent.

After an entertaining opener, the scores stood at 4-4, as Saheed gave Evans his toughest task to date with his sharp, dangerous movement.

In fact, Saheed opened up a 7-4 lead, but thanks to Evans' never say die attitude, the former Meridian School student fought back to 7-7.

Evans then showed his class and character by dominating the final round, and stormed the last two minutes with a pulsating 11-7 victory to secure his place in the prestigious final.

Evans said: "It's been a great year so far and I'm really enjoying senior boxing.

"It's a big step up from the juniors but I'm learning a lot.

"To get to the final at my first attempt is unbelievable, and I have to say that I'm a bit surprised.

"It's been hard work getting there and a lot of it is down to my coaches Dave and Kerry.

"I've had to adapt quickly, but my performances so far have given me a lot of confidence."

If successful, Evans will join an illustrious list of Senior ABA winners, that includes Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, and Ricky Hatton.

Evans added: "There have been quite a few big names that have done well in the Senior ABAs - so the final will be a really proud moment for me.