Matchroom boxer Richard Evatt will be providing the chief support fight on the Prince Naseem Hamed/Paul Ingle undercard in Manchester on April 10.

Evatt will challenge American hero Junior Jones for the IBO featherweight title. Jones, 28, is a former world champion, having secured the bantamweight and super bantamweight versions of the title.

He is a boxer of pure class and has a most impressive record. He is well-respected in the States.

This will be a massive fight for Evatt. The fact that he will be in the spotlight before a world-wide audience alone will be a huge boost to his career.

Matchroom promoter Barry Hearn had promised Evatt a world title shot early this year, but his surprising points defeat in Poland to Smith Odoom last month - which cost him his WBO Inter Continental title - looked to have scuppered that prospect, albeit temporarily.

But Evatt wasted no time in getting back to winning ways in his home town of Coventry a fortnight ago.

In no mood to mess about and, from the first bell, he put his opponent, Peter Buckley, under considerable pressure with a non-stop display of aggression.

By the fifth round, with Buckley unable to offer any meaningful resistance, the referee stopped the contest.

Obviously, this performance was enough to thrust Evatt back in the frame for the world title.

He was contacted on Saturday to be told of his world title clash with Jones.

"It really hasn't sunk in yet," he said. "If I can beat Jones - and I'm sure I can - I'll be on the gravy train, big time.

"I really should have beaten Odoom. I had opportunities to do so in the third and fifth rounds.

"Odoom is stronger than Jones, but he couldn't hurt me, so I'm sure I can do a job on Jones.

"Jones is a great boxer, but I think he may be on the slide.

"I've had a couple of weeks out of training, but I'll be back in the gym with my trainer Dean Powell first thing in the morning (Monday), to get myself in shape.

"I've got four and a half weeks to prepare, and that's plenty of time."

Two years ago, when I interviewed Evatt, he told me his dream would be to fight Prince Naseem Hamed for a world title.

That dream could take a giant step forward after April 10 - especially as Hamed has made no secret of the fact that he wants to unify the titles.

"If I can get Jones out of the way, I'd love to have a showdown with Naz," said Evatt, "but that depends if his people want the fight."

Loughton's Nicky Thurbin will have his second opportunity to land the British lightweight title on April 3.

He will meet the champion, Ensley Bingham, at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The last time the pair met was in December 1997 when Bingham halted Thurbin's challenge in the final round at the London Arena.

For ticket details contact the Sports Network box office on 01992 550888.

Richard Evatt . . . world title fight against Junior Jones on April 10.

Picture: IVAN SAGE

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