OLYMPIC silver medallist Fred Evans says his decision to split from trainer Tony Borg and leave the St Joseph’s gym in Newport was because he “just wanted a fresh start”.

Evans takes to the ring in Cardiff on November 22 for only his seventh professional fight in two-and-a-half years, and 12 months after his last outing, a shock defeat to Ryan Toms.

That proved to be his final bout – the first loss of his career in the paid ranks – under Borg, with Evans now being trained by Cwmbran’s Gary Lockett.

As well as leaving Borg’s St Joes stable, Evans has also parted company with manager Chris Sanigar – Newport’s Mo Prior will take care of his affairs for the Vale Sports Arena show.

“I’m training with Gary Lockett now and I’ve changed managers,” said the 28-year-old Welshman. “I just wanted a fresh start.

“I haven’t signed anything with Mo Prior, but I think he will be my manager going forward.

“Gary has been training me for four or five months and I’m just trying to improve things which I didn’t know I needed to in the past.

"I feel a lot better since being with Gary.

“I went to Gary when I was going to turn pro, but it didn’t happen then.

“I’ve seen so many improvements since going back with him and I’m in the best shape I have been since turning professional.

He added: “I’m still friends with Tony, I haven’t had any falling out with him. I think a lot of him.

“I still talk to the boys at St Joes and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Evans, now dad to 13-week-old daughter Milan, insists he never considered hanging up his gloves following the setback against Toms, who turns 38 in December.

But the former European amateur champion feels he needs to “prove some people wrong” on his return to the ring – and finally get in a position to challenge for titles.

And reflecting on that stoppage by Toms, he said: "I really shouldn't have fought.

"I was ill about a week before and put a stop to my training.

"I didn't eat for two days because I had to lose nearly a stone for the weigh-in.

"My old man said 'you don't look right', but I didn't listen, I thought I'd still be able to beat him.

"It's important now that I learn from the mistakes I made in that fight."

The St Mellons middleweight is involved in one of nine fights on the Cardiff show later this month.

Former St Joes stablemate Lance Cooksey (11-0) defends his unblemished record against Birmingham's ex-English champion Sean Davis in a six-round lightweight affair.

While other Welsh talent including Nathan Thorley (13-0), Maredudd Thomas (9-0), Angelo Dragone (5-1) and Jay Munn (1-0) are on the bill too.