CRAIG Evans says he had no hesitation in accepting an offer to try and reclaim the WBO European lightweight crown, despite the fight in London taking place in less than a fortnight.

Blackwood’s Evans will meet former Southern Area super-featherweight champion Boy Jones Jnr at the Hilton Hotel in Mayfair on Monday, November 19.

The two clash for the belt after it was vacated by Russian Roman Andreev, the man who dethroned Evans with a ninth-round stoppage in February this year.

Evans had been set to move down a weight for a dust-up with Archie Sharp, who became the WBO’s European super-featherweight champion last month.

However, with no sign of a date for that contest, Evans jumped at the chance to face Essex-born Jones (18-1-1), whose real first name is Ben.

And even though he has a few pounds to shift to make the 9st 9lbs lightweight limit, the 29-year-old Welshman, now trained by Gavin Rees, is adamant he will prevail on fight night.

“It’s going to be for my old belt, so it would be nice to win it back, enjoy Christmas and then start again in the New Year and look to push on,” said Evans, who outpointed Thomas Stalker to win the title nearly two years ago.

“I’ve been ticking over in the gym for the last three weeks which has helped a lot.

“I had my first spar on Tuesday, just 10 rounds to see how I felt, and I didn’t feel too bad.

“I’m sparring again on Thursday, another 10 rounds, and that will be my last one.”

He added: “I wanted to take the fight 100%. It is a bit of a risk but it’s a risk I’ve got to take.

“I’m getting on a bit now, I’m 30 next year, so I’ve got to take these chances.

“It would be nice to win the belt again and get back on the ladder.

“I need to lose the weight as fast as I can, but I feel good and hopefully I’ll go there and win the fight.”

The only defeat of Jones’ professional career came against Craig Poxton last February when the former was making the first defence of his Southern Area strap.

“I don’t really know much about him – I’m not too bothered anyway,” said Evans.

“He’s tall and busy and comes forward. It’s nothing I haven’t been up against before. I fought Thomas Stalker three times.

“Jones hasn’t fought the calibre of fighters I have.”

Evans has appeared at the show’s Mayfair venue before, beating Ronnie Clark on points over 10 rounds in November 2014.