DeAngelo “Muscle” Evans is one of the names that BoxingNews24 suggests following among the members of the new generation of American boxing. Born in Durham, North Carolina, the 28-year-old fighter has drawn attention for his punching power and his ability to finish fights before the final bell. 

His physical resemblance to Mike Tyson has also fueled comparisons among fans. However, his career still presents an unresolved challenge: proving his level against more demanding opponents.

His path to professionalism was unconventional. Before putting on the gloves, Evans competed in collegiate wrestling and found in boxing a way to stay active during periods without competition. What began as a complementary activity eventually became his sporting career. In addition, he reached the professional ranks without having fought a single official amateur bout.

From college wrestling to the first knockouts

Evans made his professional debut in April of 2021, when he was 22 years old. In his first fight, he defeated Joel Franklin by technical knockout in the second round. From there, he put together six consecutive victories before the limit, a streak that began to give him visibility on the American circuit.

In December of 2023 he had to go the full distance for the first time. His opponent was Clay Burns, whom he defeated by unanimous decision after six rounds. The victory ended his knockout streak, though not his ability to finish fights early. In March of 2024, Evans once again won inside the distance by stopping Giovanni Gutierrez in the first round.

The knockout of Cesar Villarraga and the first defeat

On May 29, 2026, Evans delivered one of the most outstanding performances of his career by knocking out Cesar Villarraga in the second round. A left hook brought an end to the fight, which took place at the Night of Champions XII event. With that result, the American reached 15 professional victories, 14 of them by knockout.

The progression was interrupted in August, when Moisés García defeated him by technical knockout in the fifth round, at an event held at Santa Monica Pier, California. It was Evans's first professional defeat and a setback that tested his ability to respond against an opponent who managed to halt his offense.

Despite the setback, the World Boxing Council named him Prospect of the Week on September 21. The organization highlighted his unconventional path, his background in collegiate wrestling, and his punching power. At that point, Evans had 15 wins and one loss, with 14 victories by knockout.

The American returned to the ring on October 24 to face Emmanuel Morales Rodríguez. In a bout scheduled for eight rounds, he earned a unanimous decision victory and regained his confidence after his first setback. The result raised his record to 16 wins and one loss, with 14 knockouts.

A prospect with a test ahead

Evans remains a name to watch within the emerging landscape of American boxing, but his potential still needs backing against higher-level opponents. BoxingNews24 also mentions Curmel Moton and Zaquin Moses when analyzing the young talents who could shape the future of this sport.

His punching power has so far been his main calling card. However, his defeat to García was a reminder that knockout power is not always enough to settle fights. 

Evans’ development will depend on his ability to broaden his skill set, correct his weaknesses, and prove that he can compete with more demanding opponents.

His physical resemblance to Mike Tyson was another factor that contributed to his popularity. The comparisons even fueled rumors on social media about an alleged family relationship between the two. However, there is no basis for that claim: Evans is neither Tyson's son nor known to be biologically related to the former world champion.