WITH Great Britain’s London 2012 boxers having the most successful Games since 1920, team leader Rob McCracken faces an anxious wait as the promoters circle ready to pluck his prizefighters from the amateur ranks and place them in professional circles.

But one he might not lose any sleep over is silver medallist Fred Evans after the Newport boxer revealed he could be at his peak by the time Rio 2016 comes along.

Evans played his part in Team GB’s successful boxing campaign at London 2012, settling for welterweight silver after losing the final 19-7 against Kazakhstan’s Serik Sapiyev.

As with the rest of his medal winning compatriots – McCrack-en’s crew finishing the Games with three golds, a silver and a bronze – the lure to turn professional will soon kick in once Evans has put his feet up after a job well done in London.

But despite admitting he is yet to make a firm decision either way, Evans isn’t about to rule out trying to upgrade his silver to gold at Rio 2016 – far from it.

“My London 2012 experience was amazing and although I was aiming for the gold I am obviously not upset at ending up with a silver,” he said, “I don’t know what my future will be yet but I am still young. I am only 21 so in four years time I will be young still.

“But I am not going to rush into a decision this soon after London. I need to go away and have a bit of a rest before getting back into the routine of training before anything else.

“Although I have won an Olympic medal I know I am not the finished article by any means and I have a lot to learn still.

“I’ve got loads of experience to gain, but once I get back into training I’ll sit down with my coaches and family and decide what’s best for me.”

However, before Evans can even entertain the idea of Rio, there is the business of next year’s World Championships.

And with them taking place in the home of his London 2012 victor, Evans can see the perfect opportunity for revenge.

“I will be older and stronger and I would fancy another fight with him [Sapiyev] in his hometown,” he added.

“But like I said, I am not rushing into a decision and we will have to see what happens, but that would be a great way to get my own back.”

  • Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012