BLACKWOOD boxer Craig Evans is to get another shot at the vacant WBO European lightweight title as a rematch with Tom Stalker was confirmed for December 19, writes Andrew Penman.

The pair fought a brutal all-out war at the Manchester Arena last month, which the judges declared a draw.

After 10 pulsating rounds of action – and a controversial knockdown of Stalker in the ninth round that was ruled a slip – the judges scored it 96-94 to Evans, 97-93 to Stalker and 95-95.

And now they are set to do battle once again to finally decide a winner at the same venue.

Stalker v Evans II features on the title-packed undercard of Andy Lee’s WBO world middleweight title defence against Billy Joe Saunders and Liam Smith’s first WBO world super-welterweight title defence against Jimmy Kelly.

St Joseph’s star Evans won his first 14 bouts as a professional before losing a British title fight to Scott Cardle in May this year and drawing the original clash with Stalker in October.

He’s convinced he won that fight and says this time he’ll stop Stalker late.

“I’ve watched it back plenty of times and still believe that I won,” said the 26-year-old.

“It was a great fight and the fans will get to see us go at it again, but this time it will have a different ending with me taking the title back to Wales.

“I didn’t fight to the best of my ability last time and I know that this time I will be one hundred percent ready for him.

“He’s shown me everything he’s got, what else can he bring to the ring? He’ll have to knock me out and he hasn’t got the power to do that.

“For whatever reason the short right hand punch I dropped him with wasn’t scored so this time when I land I have to make sure he doesn’t get up again.

“My preparations will be spot on and I ideally I don’t want to let it go the judges’ again so I can see me stopping him late.”

Southpaw Stalker is equally bullish and convinced that he will end the year as European champion.

“I respect Evans, he’s a tough kid, but he can’t bring anything different this time around,” he said.

“I know what I’ve got to do this time, I’ll be throwing more punches and as the fight goes on I’ll be getting stronger and stronger.

“I’ve watched the fight over and over again and I’m convinced that I won, as did many that night, but if the judges saw it different what can you do?

“At least we’re doing it again and I know that this will be my moment.

“If he’s expecting the same Tom Stalker he’s in for a big shock.”