Taylor Bevan reveals dad is racking up the miles following his Commonwealth quest

Promising light heavyweight Taylor Bevan revealed dad Lester is racking up the miles covering his Commonwealth Games progress at the same time as his brother’s burgeoning Premier League career.

Wales’ Bevan, who is one of over 1,100 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering technology, science and medical support, said he could not ask for anything more after continuing his collision course for the podium on Monday night with a second successive stoppage to book his spot in the quarterfinals.

Bevan made light work of Samoa’s Jancen Poutoa with a third-round finish to back up his knockout win over New Zealand’s Onyx Lee on Saturday, the same day his younger brother Owen made his debut for Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad.

Bevan said: “It's amazing [to have us both playing elite sport]. My brother made his debut for Bournemouth first team on Saturday, so my dad came up on Friday, watched me, drove home two-and-a-half hours, watched him, and then has come back today.

“They are massively proud. Both my parents are supportive, and we wouldn't be able to do it without them.”

The 21-year-old said he was in “great shape” after two convincing victories backed up his claims that he was ready to take gold.

Bevan, who qualifies for Wales through his mother and splits his time between Hampshire and Cardiff, admitted he had to steady his nerves before setting up what will surely be a sterner test against Jamaica’s Jerone Ennis on Thursday.

He said: “I'm happy with it, it couldn't have gone any better really. I just outboxed him and caught him with a few big shots which eventually brought the stoppage in the third round.

"I couldn’t have asked for more than two stoppages in two fights. I’m in great shape. Neither of my fights have been fatiguing.

“I was a bit nervous but not as much as in my first fight. I felt relaxed once the fight started. That comes with experience.

“I am here for the gold medal. It’s a tough Jamaican next. That will be a difficult opponent, no doubt about it.”

Bevan was well supported by an NEC crowd that included his father, who has guided his career since he started at Poseidon Amateur Boxing Club, eventually moving up from fighting at middleweight to light heavyweight.

And after yet again demonstrating his punching power, the Team Wales sensation revealed he was proud to represent his country and set his sights on standing on top of the podium come the end of the competition in Birmingham.

He said: “It's amazing fighting in front of this crowd. I had some support up today from some of my family. It's a buzz walking out to that.

“My dad's my coach and my club coach were here as well, and I think I'm making them proud.

“I plan on going the whole way. Before the competition, the plan was always to get a gold medal and I think I can do it.

“I'm massively proud to represent Wales. There are loads of support here from Wales, I got quite a good reception when I walked out.

“I've been working towards this for the last four years on the Wales programme.”

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