Evans tips Tiger to become World Champion

It's not very often that a boxer lands on your doorstep asking if you can train him for an assault on the world title.

But that is exactly what happened to Jim Evans when Patrick ‘Tiger’ Mendy arrived at his gym.

After only a short time training the prodigy, Maidenhead trainer Evans explained he has never been so excited by one of his fighters, and never so sure about one his charges becoming world champion as he is Mendy.

Mendy, who lives in Maidenhead, has already become a feared opponent in the boxing world due to his size strength, making it hard for manager Evans to find him fights.

Among those who have agreed to fight him, before pulling out, are Prizefighter winner Martin Murray and Georgie Groves, who will be fighting on the undercard for David Haye’s world heavyweight title fight against Nicolay Valuev in Germany on Saturday.

But, Evans is sure his Gambian-born professional super middleweight will conquer the world.

“Patrick Mendy is the hottest thing on the scene at the moment,” said Evans, who trains the Tiger at his gym in Bray.

“He will be the Commonwealth champion, and then the world champion one day.

“You have to be 20/21 to box for a world title.

“People don’t want to fight him though. There are easier fights out there for them than Patrick and that’s why they why they won’t fight him.”

Mendy caused a sensation last month when he outpointed previously unbeaten prospect Marlon Reid from Swindon 59-56 over six rounds.

Reid, a former ABA finalist at 6’2’’ and 27-years-old, held all the advantages over Mendy, keeping him off with a stiff double jab and winning the first round.

However, Mendy changed the script and took it Reid, leaving him opponent relieved to hear the final bell.

Such a fight shows his promise and Evans revealed his young charge will fight well-known Ghanaian Thomas Awinbone in London on November 14 over four rounds.

But Mendy’s biggest fight should have been on October 5 against the late Irish Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland.

Sadly, the 27-year-old super middleweight committed suicide before Mendy got the chance to fight him in what have been a high profile money-spinning night for the Tiger.

Boxing promoter Frank Maloney found Sutherland dead in his London apartment after hanging himself.

“Frank Maloney asked if Patrick could fight at super middleweight,” explained Evans.

“I said yes and he got him a fight with Darren Sutherland.

“Unfortunately, Sutherland hung himself and committed suicide in September.”