Body snatcher Zach scores landslide win
All smiles...Zach Evans and Jose Aguirre. Pic: Jack Perry
UNDER the tutelage of trainer Mitchel Pearce, Zach Evans is developing into a very handy box-fighter with a style that’s very easy on the eye.
He boxed with an impressive rhythm in the main event at Cannock’s Excelsior Sporting Club last night (Thursday), working the body of Jose Aguirre as if beating out a drum solo.
Infront of his home fans, the unbeaten light-middle sank right and left hooks to the flanks from first bell to last.
Others would have folded, yet the Costa Rican remained poker faced and even beckoned his tormentor forward on the way to shut-out, 60-54, six round defeat.
Aguirre, who has now lost four of six, is one very tough hombre and has the chipped and broken features of a bruiser. He looks like Charles Bronson after a beating.
And that’s what he got from Evans who set a fast pace and kept it up. My notes for the second round state: “Evans relentless.”
He was just as relentless in the last.
Now unbeaten in seven, stiffer tests await the 27-year-old, with promoter Scott Murray hopeful of landing a Midlands title fight. He looks ready for it. He is becoming one to watch.
First, however, Evans again performs at the Excelsior Club’s base, the Premier Suite – this time on an October 13 public show.
“I think it’s the most I’ve hit someone,” Zach said after dominating Aguirre. “He’s a very, very tough man.
Zach Evans...back out again in Cannock on October 13
“My last opponent was in front of me all the time, he (Aguirre) was cleverer. The shot selection was a lot better in this one. If I have a criticism, I probably stayed in the pocket too long.”
It was pretty much flawless from Evans. My only criticism is the fact he became too focused on breaking Aguirre with bodyshots. He incessantly hacked away at the visitor’s midriff like a lumberjack attacking a mighty redwood’s trunk.
I would’ve liked Zach to have gone upstairs and slash the branches more.
Nevertheless, boxing VIPs such as British light-heavyweight champ Tony Wilson, world champs Ray Mancini and Richie Woodhall and European lightweight champ John Murray – all in attendance – must have been very impressed.
Aguirre (11st 5lbs 8oz) did get through with one jarring right uppercut in the first, but that was a rare success.
In the second, Evans (11st 1lb 14oz) whipped in right hands to the body, then turned the spiteful shot into an uppercut. His opponent took them, then, with an open glove, beckoned Evans to deliver more.
Zach didn’t need an invitation. He pinned Aguirre against the ropes in the third and threw rib-bending hooks from both hands.
Aguirre tried to rally in the fourth and connected with one meaty right of his own. He simply lacked the speed and variety to trouble Evans who really opened up with both fist in the last round’s final minute.
We’ll know more about Evans when he faces someone capable of dragging him into the trenches, someone who’ll make him dig deep.
But, to date, he’s not only ticked all the boxes, he’s dazzled doing it.