Evan set for new honour
The daughter of Ayrshire box ing legend Evan Armstrong has spoken of her pride at learning he’s to be inducted into the British Ex- Boxers Hall of Fame.
Ayr- born Evan, who was a British and Commonwealth Featherweight champion, will be posthumously inducted at a major event in Cardiff next September.
And daughter Susan, who nursed Evan in his later years and up until his death in July 2017, reckons next year’s three- day event will be another chance to celebrate her father’s illustrious career.
She said: “It’s going to be good. I keep my brother Evan in the loop, so he knows the news and I texted my nephew, who is also called Evan, who’s excited too. I’m over the moon.
“He’s earned his place. He put Ayrshire boxing on the map. He left a great legacy and it’s another feather in the cap to him.
“It’ll be emotional because he’s not here and I still miss him.”
Evan, who was known as the ‘ Titan of Tarbolton,’ is revered in Scottish boxing circles, catching the sporting public’s imagination in a 54- fight professional career between 1963 and 1974 during which he notched 39 wins.
A s B r i t i s h a n d C o m m o n w e a l t h Featherweight champion, Evan reigned supreme for four years.
During his heyday, Evan won the British Boxing Board of Control Scottish Area bantamweight title, BBBofC Scottish Area featherweight title, BBBofC British featherweight title, and Commonwealth featherweight title.
When he lost his Lonsdale belt to Tommy Glencross in a highly controversial points decision in 1972, Evan regained his British title a year later at the St Andrew’s Sporting Club in Glasgow.
He gave up his prized belt in 1974 but, sadly, head injuries sustained over 20 years forced him to give up his job with Scottish Power.
Five former world champions were among the boxing legends who honoured him at a gala lunch in 2004.