DALE Evans admits that having confirmation he is finally set to fight for the British welterweight title has put his mind to rest.

Reigning champion Bradley Skeete defends his Lonsdale Belt for the second time on June 2 when he meets Shayne Singleton at the Brentwood Centre in Essex.

The British Boxing Board of Control last week announced that mandatory challenger Evans, 25, would face the winner by the end of September.

So, after returning to the ring on Saturday following a hiatus of more than eight months, St Joseph’s ace Evans knows his next fight could be the big one.

Magor-based Evans made a winning comeback at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, comfortably out-pointing journeyman Kevin McCauley over four rounds.

It was the Welshman’s first outing since he won a final eliminator for the British crown against Mike Towell late last September.

The bout in Glasgow ended in tragedy when Towell died the following day as a result of head injuries sustained during the clash.

Since then, Evans has maintained that winning the Lonsdale Belt would be for Towell as well as himself.

On Saturday, Evans wore a pair of shorts sporting a St Andrew’s cross spelling out Towell’s nickname of Iron Mike – it’s something that will remain part of Evans’ kit for the rest of his career.

“I’ve always said that winning the British title was the aim for Mike and myself and that if I won it then it would be for the both of us,” he said.

“I had Mike’s name and the Scottish flag embroidered on my shorts for the fight at the weekend and I will have that now until I finish boxing.

“I’ve had a lot of nice comments about it on social media from Mike’s family and friends.”

He added: “I think any British boxer’s dream is to at least win the Lonsdale Belt, and I feel I’m good enough to win one.

“I was always the mandatory challenger because of the final eliminator I won but until last week nothing had been made clear about when I would get the chance to fight for it.

“It was always playing on my mind and irritating me that I didn’t know when I was going to get my shot.

"It has put my mind at rest now that it’s been cleared up.”

Given that Evans has faced other long lay-offs throughout his professional career, he had no problems getting back into the swing of things last weekend.

However, what happened with Towell last autumn was understandably in his thoughts.

“It was in the back of my mind, it always will be there,” he said. “But, as a fighter, for the very short time you are in the ring you are in the zone.

“I wouldn’t say it was strange to be back boxing because I have experienced long breaks before.

“It was only four rounds but I felt I boxed well and carried out the instructions from my corner.”