BLACKWOOD’S Craig Evans is ready for a showdown European title fight with London 2012 Team GB boxing captain Thomas Stalker this weekend, in a battle that couldn’t have come at a worse time for trainer Tony Borg, writes Michael Pearlman.

The two-stars will tussle for the vacant WBO European lightweight title on the bill at the Manchester Arena this Saturday that sees Terry Flanagan battling for a world title and the hotly-anticipated battle between Liam Smith and John Thompson.

Evans, 26, lost his undefeated record last time out at the hands of Scott Cardle, losing by unanimous decision in a close fight, Evans arguably never recovering properly from a cut in the second round.

However, his aggressive style and run of 14 straight victories before his loss to Cardle have presented another immediate opportunity at a title, this time the WBO European belt.

Waiting in the way is Stalker (10-1-1), nicknamed ‘the captain’ for his role in London, who is at a career crossroads following a loss and a draw among his last three fights.

Stalker has been training in Spain and agrees with promoter Frank Warren’s assessment that this represents “a make or break fight for both boxers.”

“That’s one million percent the truth, it’s a genuine 50/50 fight and I want to be in the best fight,” he said.

“When I was offered Evans, I thought ‘I want that’ because he’s a benchmark. If I can’t beat Craig Evans, I have to look at where my career is at. I am training hard to make sure I’m victorious on October 10.”

The fight is indeed intriguing and enticing for fans of Stalker and Evans, with the potential to be a real tear-up, but you’ll forgive trainer Tony Borg for not feeling so thrilled at the prospect.

Not only will he have some of his St Joes fighters boxing in the Newport Centre on the same night – at the Welsh Warriors show – but he also has the not insignificant matter of Lee Selby’s first world title defence to worry about!

Selby defends his IBF title in Glendale, Arizona, on Wednesday night, live on television in the US.

“I am literally leaving Manchester immediately after the fight and heading straight to the airport up there,” Borg told the Argus.

“It’s then straight on to America, because Lee is fighting Wednesday night. It’s far from ideal, but I wasn’t prepared to not be there for Craig, just because Lee fights in the States.

“It’s not ideal, either, to not be at the Newport Centre, but Craig’s fight was arranged first and it is for a title. So one of the other trainers will be in charge in Newport, it’s just one of those things.

“It’s a sign of how much is going on in the gym now.”