TYLER Rivers pulled no punches in the aftermath of bombshell news Zach Evans has withdrawn from their mouthwatering Midlands welterweight title fight.
“He bottled it,” Leicester’s former outstanding amateur told a packed press conference called to unveil the title-laden Cannock show on which the pair were scheduled to do battle.
That is an incendiary claim vehemently denied by Evans, who told me the pull-out is down to “personal reasons”.
The cancellation is a blow for fans. The 10-rounder, scheduled for Scott Murray’s mammoth September 13 show at Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock, was the rare early collision of two prospects.
And Evans, fighting in his hometown, would have been the bookies favourite.
Rivers has had less fights – seven in all, has never stopped an opponent and suffered a defeat. That came against Jordan Grannum, one of the best journeymen in the business.
There is still hope of securing a Midlands title fight for the 25-year-old on September 13, but time is running out.
I believe Derby’s Sajid Abid – stopped by Tommy Collins in a Midlands super-lightweight title thriller eight months ago – has been approached.
Rivers told Sunday’s press conference at the Premier Suite, Cannock: “I was supposed to be boxing Zach Evans for the Midlands (title). Friday morning I was told he pulled out, I got told he was ‘not feeling it’.
“Let’s call it what it is, he bottled it.”
Rivers added: “I’ll fight anyone (for the title). I was coming here as the underdog anyway. The lad’s had 10 fights, he’s unbeaten, it’s in his hometown and I was still ready to go. He had every advantage going.”
To his credit, 28-year-old Evans has issued a full statement and stressed: “I’ve got nothing to hide.”
The fighter, trained by Mitch Pearce, said: “Unfortunately, I’ve had to pull out due to some personal reasons outside of boxing, meaning I’ve not been in the gym much.
“I was trying to make it work, but sometimes things need to come before boxing – this was one of them. Regarding his comment, he can say whatever makes him feel good about himself, I really don’t care.
“We’ve sparred enough times for him to know I’d have no problem fighting him and I would love to get it on once I’m back in the gym. He’s a nice boy and it would be a fun fight. You just need to look at my amateur record to see I don’t bottle it.”
