EUROPEAN lightweight king Craig Evans has admitted it would be “unbelievable” to go toe-to-toe with Ukrainian great Vasyl Lomachenko again.

Two-time Olympic champion Lomachenko is regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and currently holds the WBA and WBO world lightweight titles.

He retained his belts in April when knocking out Manchester’s Anthony Crolla, with Yorkshireman Luke Campbell the next man set to challenge the 31-year-old later this summer.

Lomachenko enjoyed a remarkable amateur career before making his pro debut in October 2013, winning gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and claiming three world titles.

His astonishing record in the amateurs was a phenomenal 396 wins and only one loss, to Russian Albert Selimov in the 2007 world championships final.

Two years after that defeat, and having avenged that setback at the Beijing Olympics, Lomachenko followed up his 2006 junior world title with a first senior crown.

He had stopped St Joseph’s ace Andrew Selby en route to that 2006 triumph, and in Milan in 2009 he accounted for Blackwood’s Evans.

“It would be a privilege to share a ring again with one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world,” said Evans, who defended his WBO European strap against Stephen Ormond on June 1.

“Would I take that fight if it was offered to me? One hundred per cent I would! I wouldn’t turn that down – it would be awesome.

“I’d be up against it, obviously, but you want to fight the best there are, and you’ve got to beat the best if you want to be the best.

“It would be great if it was in Las Vegas – a few weeks away and a nice payday!”

While keen for a rematch, Evans doesn’t have many fond memories of their first meeting in Italy.

He added: “He broke my nose with his first punch!

“He was a very hard puncher and I could really feel those shots, they were crisp and sharp, and I was on the back foot for the three rounds.

“He beat me 15-1 on points, but I did get one.

“You can’t take anything away from him, he won the Olympics and world championships twice, and he fought for a world title in his second fight as a professional.

“But I reckon I’d give him a good fight – it would be unbelievable if the chance came.”

Evans isn’t sure what is next for him, although his main wish is that he doesn’t have to wait very long before returning to action.

“I can’t wait to hear what is next, hopefully I’ll find out soon,” he said. “I just hope it’s not another seven months, like I had to wait for the last one.

“I’m not too bothered who it is, I’ll fight anyone. It would be nice if it was for a world title, but it’s not as easy as that.”