By Tom Brown tom.brown@archant.co.uk AFTER fulfilling his ambition of representing Great Britain, Royston boxer Bradley Evans has set his sights on further international honours. The talented 18-year-old fought for Great Britain at the weekend at the Wo

By Tom Brown

tom.brown@archant.co.uk

AFTER fulfilling his ambition of representing Great Britain, Royston boxer Bradley Evans has set his sights on further international honours.

The talented 18-year-old fought for Great Britain at the weekend at the World Golden Gloves Championships in Minnesota, in his first taste of international boxing.

However, after seeing off the best boxers in Great Britain, Evans came up against one of America's finest young boxers in the form of Californian Ronnie Rios.

And unfortunately for the former Meridian student, the American bantamweight champion came out on top by only a few points in what was a tight contest.

Evans said: "I thought I boxed well, but Rios was a very tough opponent. He went on to win the competition so I was a bit unlucky to get him in the semi-final.

"It was very close and he only just nicked it, so I think I was a bit unlucky.

"But I really enjoyed the experience and it was great to be involved with Great Britain."

Evans' coach Dave Blows said: "Bradley did very well and I'm sure he impressed the national coaches. It was always going to be a hard competition, and doing so well against Rios certainly says something - he's the top boy over there!

"I'm very proud of what Bradley's achieving and he's working very hard. There's still a lot of work to do, but he's gradually making his way to the top.

"It's great that he's now involved with the national squads, not only because it's something that he has wanted for a long time but because it is a great experience for him.

"Nothing really fazes Bradley, and it seems the bigger the stage the more he responds."

The GB Junior and Junior ABA under-54kg champion, who boxes for Stevenage ABC, said that his experience in America had also ­furthered his ambitions to do well for Great Britain and England.

He said: "Hopefully I can continue to be part of the national squads and it would be nice to win a few titles.

"It's an honour to represent your country."

- Evans will travel with the young England squad to Dusseldorf next week where he will take on Germany's young boxing hopefuls.