TONY Borg feels Craig Evans has not been getting a fair crack of the whip since becoming the WBO’s European lightweight champion.

Borg, who coaches the 28-year-old at St Joseph’s, is eager to see promoter Frank Warren bring big bouts Evans’ way in 2018.

Evans has only had one fight, a title defence against Irishman Stephen Ormond in Belfast last summer, following his dethroning of former continental king Thomas Stalker in November 2016.

It did look like he would take on ex-British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Liam Walsh in the autumn but the contest failed to materialise.

Instead, Evans was left with an eight-rounder in London on December 9, though that fell through.

So rather than the European belt allowing Evans to call the shots in his quest for greater honours, it has been something of a poisoned chalice.

But Borg is hoping that a new year will bring a change of fortunes for Blackwood ace Evans.

“He hasn’t been looked after very well in my opinion,” said Borg.

“They’re throwing him bits and pieces at a time.

“When he beat Stalker I thought they would bring somebody in for him, there was an opportunity to build him up, but we had to go to Ireland to fight Stephen Ormond.

“But we’ve just been kicking stones since and waiting for an opportunity.

“They came up with Liam Walsh and we said yes straight away, then we had a phone call saying he wouldn’t take it.”

He added: “I’m hoping they open their eyes a bit and realise he’s worth working with and they want to do something with him.”

Borg says former WBO world champion Terry Flanagan turned down the chance to fight Evans on two occasions.

With Flanagan having since moved up in weight, Evans’ chances of capturing the sport’s ultimate prize should have strengthened.

“I’ve been in boxing all my life and Craig’s the toughest guy I’ve met,” said Borg.

“He does not care who’s in the other corner.”