UNBEATEN Blackwood boxer Craig Evans has missed out on challenging for the British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles next month.

The St Joseph’s star had been due to challenge fellow Frank Warren fighter Liam Walsh for both belts at London’s O2 Arena on February 28.

But St Joes trainer Tony Borg told the Argus earlier this month that Walsh was keen to avoid taking on Evans at this stage of his career.

And Walsh is now defending his titles against Manchester’s Joe Murray, who he previously beat in September 2013.

While 25-year-old southpaw Evans is set to fight an as yet unnamed opponent in Wolverhampton on February 14.

Fellow St Joes boxer Frankie Borg is preparing for one of the biggest tests of his career against highly-rated Northern Irish fighter Eamonn O’Kane.

Borg, the Welsh middleweight champion, takes on the IBF Inter-Continental and WBC Silver International title holder, on Friday, February 13, at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon.

O’Kane, from Dungiven, will not put either belt on the line in his 10-rounder but for Borg it’s a chance to raise his profile on the British boxing stage.

The 34-year-old was previously beaten by Chris Eubank Jnr, in November 2013, before bouncing back to defend his Welsh title against Kerry Hope in Merthyr.

But Borg lost his last contest – a non-title fight against Swansea’s Chris Ware – in December and will be desperate to bounce back quickly.

O’Kane will be no pushover, however. As an amateur the 32-year won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

Soon after, O’Kane turned professional in Cardiff and stopped Dmitrij Kalinovskij in the first round, while Borg competed in his fourth fight and knocked out Costas Osben in two rounds on the same show.

After winning a Prizefighter tournament and the Irish title, O’Kane’s progress was interrupted when he lost a British title eliminator against John Ryder by stoppage.

He regrouped and scored the best win of his career when he out-pointed Merthyr’s Hope over 12 rounds but was then dropped by Virgilijus Stapulionis in his last bout before an accidental head clash ruled their fight a technical draw.

Tickets are priced at £35. To book yours, contact St Joseph’s Boxing Club on 01633 663003.