HE WAS “nowhere near fit enough” when challenging for the British welterweight title two years ago, but a very different Dale Evans will climb into the ring tomorrow in pursuit of the same prize.

The Welshman, whose first crack at the Lonsdale Belt in October 2015 ended in a unanimous points loss to Sam Eggington, is confident he can get it right this time against champion Bradley Skeete.

London’s Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the setting for the showdown, one that Evans goes into as a massive underdog with the bookmakers.

But the Magor-based Tony Borg-trained St Joseph’s star certainly isn’t lacking motivation ahead of the bout.

Not only is he looking to win a first major title as a professional for himself, Evans also has the added incentive of claiming the belt in memory of the late Mike Towell, who died after the two fought last September.

Evans’ victory in that eliminator gave him the opportunity to challenge Skeete, something Towell would’ve got the chance to do if he had come out on top.

“I’m doing it for myself, for Mike and his family,” said Evans, 25. “Mike’s family have wished me luck and that’s brilliant. Providing I get that belt I’ll be booking a flight up there to show it to them.

“I’ve definitely got extra motivation knowing I’m doing it for Mike, and I’ve got support coming down from Scotland which is fantastic.”

Evans won on his comeback in May after seven-and-a-half months out of action and is loving being part of the St Joes set-up in Newport.

And he insists things are very different now compared to when he took on Eggington.

“The only thing I could take from my last British title shot is that I had 10 days’ notice,” he added.

“I had 10 days to prepare for a 12-round fight when I was just about ready for a four or six-rounder.

“I was nowhere near fit enough, and the only thing that pulled me through it was hunger and determination, which I always have.

“I wasn’t trying to win rounds, I was just trying to get through them, so imagine what a fit Dale Evans could do when he’s prepared for a 12-round fight.”

He continued: “If I win this British title I honestly don’t think I’ll be able to sleep after it.

“I’ve dreamt of winning this fight most nights over the last few weeks.

“I’ve got this vision in my head of me knocking out Bradley Skeete and then jumping around the ring with excitement that I can’t control.

“One minute I could be watching the television during the day and the next I’ll switch off and daydream.”

Commenting on his opponent, who has only lost once in 27 fights, Evans said: “He’s definitely underestimating me because he’s already talking about his next one.

“He is forgetting he has got a really tough task in beating me.

“They think it’s going to be like his last one where he blew Shayne Singleton away in five rounds.

“I can promise him that won’t be the case with me – he’s not going to stop me.

“He might beat me on points but I’m confident going into this fight that I’ll come away with the win.

“I’m confident and prepared for the hardest 12 rounds that he can give me.”

Skeete-Evans is one of 12 scheduled bouts.