Happy homecoming for Newport's Olympic hero Fred Evans

Dedicating his victory to his late mum and sister, who were tragically killed in a car crash six years ago, Fred said the achievement had still not sunk in as he visited friends at St Joseph’s Boxing Club.

Speaking to the Argus, he said: “It is just unbelievable. The recognition is hard to get used to as well. People keep coming up to me. It just hasn’t sunk in.”

Fred, 21, battled his way to the finals at the London games but lost to Kazakhstani Serik Sapiyev 17-9. But becoming Wales’ first boxer Olympic silver medallist led to him being described as a “hero”

by his fans back in Newport.

Fred said: “I’ve had some many people popping in to say ‘well done’ and countless number of cards. It’s really great to see everyone’s support.

“It’s always been my main dream to get to the medal stages in the Olympics but the moment I got to the final was unbelievable.”

Dedicating his medal to hismum Tracy and sister Scarlett, he said: “I wanted to do it for mum. Mum was always my biggest supporter.

She would love it if she was here now.”

Fred first started out in boxing at the age of four when he trained with the Cwmavon Hornets.

He continued training, joining St Joseph’s around six years ago, and claimed a number of titles, including becoming European champion last year before going on to compete in the Olympics.

He said: “I hope I can be an inspiration to the young ones here now. It would be nice to think I could be.”

Fred now plans to have a rest and enjoy a huge celebration with family and friends on Friday before jetting off to Ibiza with friends for a well-deserved break.

He said: “Then I will come back and sit down with Tony Borg, my trainer, and discuss what the next steps are. Rio (for the 2016 Olympics) is a possibility but I need to talk about it first.”

Mr Borg said: “It is very satisfying to see him back here. I always said he would get a medal in the Olympics. It is just amazing.”