Evangelou 'in the shape of my life'
ANDREAS ‘THE ACE’ EVANGELOU 3-0-0 (1 KO) believes he can rival Nathan Cleverly as Britain’s best light-heavyweight after he has dominated the domestic scene.
The London-born Cypriot will be entering the ring for the fourth time as a professional in a fortnight’s time to kick off what he believes will be a vital year. The 28-year-old is aiming to finish 2012 with at least an 8-0 record and the English title around his waist.
The older of the two Evangelou brothers isn’t getting ahead of himself though knowing that he has to beat everyone that is put in front of him.
Evangelou exclusively told UNDISPUTED, “I would love to face Nathan Cleverly in the future. I am aiming to be at that level and to get there if I need to come through people like Tony Bellew then I will. I need to beat anyone that is put in front of me. I need to win these fights to be in contention.”
Despite ‘The Ace’ having only made his first professional outing last February he has already sparred with WBO light-heavyweight champion Cleverly. Evangelou spoke of how that sparring session has given him the confidence to go and become a world champion himself, “I sparred with Cleverly two weeks before one of his fights. He was in good shape and we had four rounds. It gave me a great deal of confidence. I held my own in the first two rounds and then in the next two it was about gaining the experience of being in there with someone like him outside of my comfort zone.
When I was in there I thought there is no reason why I can’t do this. I can’t see why I can’t take him out. I just need to train hard and stay focused.”
Evangelou last competed in October in a Prizefighter ‘Prospect’ fight where he overcame European Mixed Martial Arts champion Matt Inman to maintain his perfect start.
The Enfield boxer is aiming to continue to fight every two-three months in a bid to win the English belt before his 10th fight, “It is important to keep busy and avoid ring rust. I wanted to have more than three fights last year but I got an injury after my second fight. This year I am aiming to get about five-six fights under my belt.”
Andreas is hoping for a big 2012 for Team Evangelou with his brother, Chris ‘The Flash’ Evangelou, also hoping to maintain a perfect start with his record currently standing at 9-0. Team Evangelou fans get to see two different fighters with ‘The Flash’ competing at light-welterweight, both exciting in their own right.
Evangelou has big hopes for Team Evangelou’s future, “Our fans get a bit of variety we both have different skills. Hopefully we can both remain unbeaten in 2012. Beyond that we are hoping for big things. My dad is the manager and we are hoping that in a few years time we can have our own stable.”
Evangelou’s focus is purely on January 28 where he will take to the ring at Bethnal Green’s York hall, “I feel in the best shape of my life, this training camp has been the best. I have added a strength and conditioning team. I am working on strength in my legs to improve my power. Everything is going well I am breathing confidence.”
For tickets to see Andreas Evangelou in action at London’s York Hall – contact Paul Shattock or call 07956468841. Standard seats £30 Ringside seats £60.
Greg Grimes
@ggrimes10
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