AN UNBEATEN record will have to be broken on May 30 when Blackwood’s Craig Evans steps up for an unexpected British title shot, writes Michael Pearlman.

The 25-year old, who has won all 13 of his professional contests, will face off with house fighter Scotty Cardle, the Lancaster boxer, also 25, who has progressed to 17-0 in the paid ranks.

Even though Evans, who boxes out of St Joseph’s in Newport, is a Frank Warren fighter, he has received permission from his promoter to appear on the Matchroom show at the O2 Arena headlined by Evans’ stablemate Lee Selby’s attempts to win a world title.

Scotty Cardle will fight Craig Evans for the vacant British lightweight title on a glittering night of boxing at the 02 Arena on May 30.

Cardle became English champion with an emphatic first-round stoppage of Kirk Goodings in September but Evans’ camp are positive this is the right fight at the right time for their man.

An action-packed card in London also includes Anthony Joshua v Kevin Johnson, Kevin Mitchell fighting Jorge Linares for his WBC lightweight world title, Selby attempting to take the IBF world featherweight title from Evgeny Gradovic and Dave Ryan defending his Commonwealth belt against domestic rival John Wayne Hibbert.

"This show gets bigger and bigger,” said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.

"I’m delighted that Scotty will finally get his shot at the British title and he has a tough fight ahead on May 30. Scotty has had the perfect education but now it is crunch time with everything on the line.

"Craig will have plenty of support also via Lee Selby’s travelling Welsh fans. It sets up for a great domestic 50-50."

Evans is looking to return the family to one associated with boxing titles, with Craig’s grandfather Selwyn a Welsh champion at lightweight in the 1950s.

Evans has already fought in 2015, beating Jacek Wylezol easily on points over eight threes in Wolverhampton.