BLACKWOOD’S Craig Evans is hoping for a step up in class after going ten rounds for the first time in his career, writes Michael Pearlman.

The St Joseph’s trained lightweight has advanced to 13-0 after beating the game prospect Ronnie Clark decisively on points – 98-93 - in chief support of Liam Williams’ Commonwealth title tilt.

Clark was Evans’ biggest test yet with just a single defeat on his record and now the St Joes trained fighter is ready to push on in 2015.

“It was a good test for me, my first ten round fight; I tried to pace myself and it’s a good experience for me even though I got a bit tired in the last round,” Evans told IFL TV after the fight.

“The crowd got behind us both, it was a little scrappy but I came through it and thought it went really well, I dominated and it was a good learning fight against someone who was aggressive.

“I would love to fight for a title now, I think I need to step it up to British or Commonwealth titles.

“We have to wait and see what will come for me.

“I will have Christmas off now and then get back in the gym at the start of January in time to be out again in February or March.

“Whoever they put me in with next I’ll be ready, I’ve had 13 good learning fights and I’m ready to step it up now.

“I think I deserve a shot at a title now, any title, it would just be nice to have around my waist.”

Trainer Tony Borg believes Evans is benefitting from the quality around him in their central Newport gym.

“He’s been putting the hard work in, in the gym and he’s been stepping it up gradually, firstly fighting six-rounders, then eight and now ten and we see him as being well past the Celtic or Welsh title phase of his career,” he said. “We’d love him to go for a British title.

“He spars Lee Selby and Gary Buckland and it’s starting to bear fruit, he’s coming through the traditional route and to me that’s very important, he’s doing things properly and stepping it up at the right time to get that experience you need.

“He’s learning with each fight, it was good matchmaking against Ronnie, a good fight for him with his development and hopefully he can kick on now."