BLACKWOOD boxer Craig Evans is celebrating after returning from representing his country in Finland with a gold medal.

The 19-year-old, who trains at Church Place Amateur Boxing Club in Bargoed, won the prestigious Tampere Cup to add to the winners belt from the Multi-nations Championships in Canada last month.

The youngster, inspired by local hero Joe Calzaghe and his long-term friend Nathan Cleverly who trains alongside Evans at Church Place, followed in the footsteps of Mo Nasir, another Team Calzaghe fighter, in winning the event in Scandinavia.

“It was great to win out there, it’s really good for the future becasue it’s a big tournament,” he said.

“I won three fights, beating a Japanese guy in the quarter-finals, a Frenchman in the semis and another Japanese fighter in the final, 21-8.”

The teenager, whose 16-year-old brother Rhys also trains at the gym set up last year by their parents Dan and Debbie along with Vince Cleverly, gives a lot of the credit for his success to his mentors.

“Vince and my other coach Alan Davies have been great with me and along with my Wales coach Tony Williams they have improved me a lot,” he said.

Evan’s proud dad Dan also named team manager Royston Chambers and coaches Mark James and Ronnie Morris as key men in his son’s success.

“They really worked hard out in Finland to ensure that Craig came home a winner and they must take a lot of the credit,” he said.

Evans jr, who works at car parts company Mollertech, is next in action for Wales against an England team at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Friday from 8pm.

After that he will be off to Liverpool for the European Championships on Wednesday, November 5.

“That is one I’m looking forward to, it’s Bonfire Night so I’m predicting fireworks,” he added.