BLACKWOOD’S Craig Evans can finally get his hands on the European lightweight title this autumn when he faces reigning champion Thomas Stalker for a third time.

Evans and Liverpudlian Stalker fought out two entertaining drawn contests last year before the latter won the vacant crown against Portugal’s Antonio Joao Bento in June.

The first two meetings between Evans and Stalker took place in Manchester but this time the Welshman, who trains at St Joseph’s in Newport, has home advantage on his side.

The fight will take place on the Frank Warren show at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday, October 22, which also features Gary Lockett charge Liam Williams.

Clydach Vale’s Williams, coached by Cwmbran’s Lockett in the Welsh capital, defends his British and Commonwealth super-welterweight straps against mandatory challenger Ahmet Patterson.

Unbeaten Williams defended his titles in a rip-roaring clash with Gary Corcoran just last month, but Patterson, the reigning IBF Intercontinental champion, is set to provide the toughest test of Williams’s career to date.

Both men will see this as an opportunity to put themselves in line for a world title challenge next year.

Also featuring on the bumper card is Bradley Skeete who defends his British welterweight title against mandatory challenger Shayne Singleton.