Conah: ‘Proper fans know I beat Crocker’

BCB mates…Walker and Tyler Denny at yesterday’s press conference

BELFAST KO king Lewis Crocker, who stood stony-faced as his team had the craic with promoter Eddie Hearn, is a very, very big welterweight. A towering welterweight.

My first impression on seeing The Croc at yesterday’s Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel press conference was one of surprise: surprise over the sheer size of a fighter who has won all 18 bouts, 10 by stoppage.

While trainer Billy Nelson laughed and gesticulated, Crocker had the presence of a sullen gun slinger. Amid the guffaws, he excused himself and left.

I was also impressed by the 27-year-old’s confidence: no trash talk, simply a steely belief in his ability.

Crocker is big. But then Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, who faces him on tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) superb Genting Arena show, has made a career out of proving the old adage, “the bigger they come, the harder they fall.”

I am from the Black Country and he epitomises Black Country spirit. He’s the individual bigger bullies pick the wrong fight with.

The 29-year-old, trained by Richie Ghent, is a seriously hard man in a seriously hard sport.

Big hitting Cyrus Pattinson was portrayed as a monster before being mauled by Conah, a Barbarian in boxing gloves.

Tomorrow, in a bout that seeps savagery, Old Gold gladiator Walker aims to rip-up another reputation.

I promise you, this will not be for the faint-hearted. If Crocker wins, he has passed the acid test – he has proved the hype surrounding him has substance.

If Walker wins, he has smashed down the barrier to big, lucrative fights.

At the press conference, Walker, clutching the WBA international belt he won by thrashing Pattinson, looked dapper in a suit, his skin glowed with health.

Walker and Crocker face the media before the big battle

“I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m looking forward to it,” he told the press. “I’m ready, I see him looking over me.

“I take the fights no one else wants to take – that’s the bottom line.

“Two years ago I lost a close decision for the English title. I’ve learnt, I’ve polished the edges and I keep becoming a better fighter. I have taken losses, but I’ve learnt on the job. Those losses haven’t stopped me from being what I want to be.

“I’m a hard working guy, I work for my family and this one isn’t taking it away from me. The proper boxing fans know I beat this guy on Saturday night.

“I’ve been there, he hasn’t. I feel I bring more to the table than him. I know I have it in the tank.”

Word is Walker has sold a phenomenal number of tickets for the clash.

“It’s amazing the people who are coming,” he said. “I’m in awe of it, I’m enjoying the ride and this man is getting in the way.”

Crocker listened intently to Walker’s mantra, unmoved, emotionless, as if sifting through Saturday’s scenarios.

“I get goose-bumps thinking about it,” he told the media. “Conah is a good fighter, but I don’t think he is as good as he thinks he is.

“I’ve had a great camp and that’s where my confidence is coming from. Losing is not an option – never has been, never will be.”

Crocker added: “He is made for me. I’m ready for a toe-to-toe war with this guy.”

Former English light-middleweight camp Adam Harper, an expert on the modern domestic game, is now providing analysis for FightCity and the Birmingham Mail.

He said: “I’ve saved my prediction until the weigh-in, for a reason. I want Walker to win, but, seeing the huge size difference, I feel if he takes the fight to Crocker – as he has in every other fight – he’ll get chewed up and spat out.

“If he has a fight with Lewis Crocker, he gets beaten. I say that hoping I’m wrong.”