FRED Evans wants to be back in the ring “as soon as possible” after celebrating a winning start to his professional career.

The St Joseph’s-trained super-welterweight eased to a routine points victory over Belgium’s Najim Fennane in Cardiff on Friday night, nearly 18 months since turning pro.

With a few problems outside the ring behind him, the 26-year-old London 2012 silver medallist is now eager to make up for lost time.

“It was the first time I’ve been in the ring for three years so it was good to get back in there,” he said.

“There was a bit of ring rust but I knew that was going to come, it’s natural when you’ve been out of the ring for so long.

“He was a tough kid who came to win and it went all the way, but it was a good six rounds.

“I could have gone for the stoppage but I didn’t want to push it too early, and it was good to get six rounds under my belt.

“I was always in control. I hurt him a couple of times with body shots and felt like I could have really gone for it but my corner told me to be patient and just box smartly.”

He added: “This was what it had all been leading up to, and in my hometown as well.

“I want to get back in the ring as soon as possible, I want to keep as busy as I can now and make up for lost time.”

There was success for two more St Joes boxers on the Cyclone Promotions show at the Motorpoint Arena.

Ebbw Vale’s WBC international bantamweight champion Ashley Brace secured her seventh win in seven outings with a powerful display against Croatian Nevenka Mikulic.

Mikulic, 37, was a clear second best in the face of some heavy hitting, as Brace won all six rounds.

Lightweight Gavin Gwynne is now six unbeaten after a comfortable points defeat of journeyman Ibrar Riyaz.

It was the 119th loss of Riyaz’s 128-fight career and one that was never really in doubt as Gwynne proved too much to handle.

Meanwhile, Cardiff’s Craig Kennedy was unsuccessful in his attempt to capture the vacant British cruiserweight crown.

The previously unbeaten Kennedy was knocked out in the sixth round by Blackpool’s Matty Askin.

Other Welsh fighters Kristian Touze, Jonathan O’Kelly and Nathan Thorley all picked up wins but Libya’s Malik Zinad floored Jermaine Asare.