Sugar loss leaves a sour taste for Conah

Walker holds his hand aloft in hope as the pair await the decision

BLACK Country warrior Conah Walker fought valiantly, but the sweet science of Sugar Kane Gardner proved the decisive factor in their eight rounder last night (Friday).

At Bolton Whites Hotel, the Manchester light-welter circled the ring, fired jabs and had success with short right hands. Wolverhampton’s Walker stalked, prowled, chased the fight, but didn’t land enough ammo to take victory.

At the final bell, the 27-year-old held his arms aloft as if confident of victory. He appeared aggrieved by referee Darren Sarginson’s 78-76 decision in Kane’s favour.

This was not, however, a home town decision. I had the score one round wider for Gardner.

Walker, in his debut in the 10st division, can take positives from only the second loss in a 14 fight career.

He pressed the fight, he made the fight. He had success with hooks. He landed the power shots.

But I felt there was a point in the Channel 5 televised bout where he needed to try to win ugly, to throw waves of combinations. Instead, he looked to uncork single heavy shots, allowing taller Gardner to steal points.

Gardner was rattled by a right in the second and retreated to the ropes. The same shot connected in the third and, this time, Kane bit on his gumshield and rallied.

The local lad had learned his lesson, realised his dangerous opponent had the edge in power and changed tactics.

From the fourth, he moved around the ring’s circumference, kept the jabs flowing and dug left hooks to the body. He no longer looked to engage and racked-up points on the move.

Walker, cut over the right eye, started the rounds strongly, pressed forward, but needed to land more.

Those mid rounds sealed victory for Kane.

Walker took the last on my card and even indulged in a moment of show-boating. That final surge was not enough to save the day.

This morning, Walker posted on facebook: “Morning everyone. Just want to say a massive thankyou to everyone who brought a ticket and made their way over to Bolton to watch me last night. And thanks for all the messages of support from everyone who tuned in on TV.

“I’ve watched it back, I feel I did enough to win. However, it is what it is. I’m not going to beat myself up about it. I’m going to be back in the gym once I’m healed up, and I’ll iron the creases out and you’ll see an improved Conah.

“I’Il be back stronger than ever – watch this space.”

Walker, one of the game’s true gladiators, can still make his mark.

The badly injured right eye that forced Pearce’s retirement

On the same show, Rednal road warrior Daryl Pearce suffered rare inside distance defeat at the hands of Manchester debutant Ashley Marron.

Birmingham’s tough welter was pulled out by his corner at the end of the first, with his right eye close.

Images of the injury underline the fact the McCrackens did the right thing.

On facebook, Daryl said: “Boxing’s a dangerous sport. Got to do what is best for your health.

“Got caught end of first round with a shot and couldn’t see out my eye, so my corner pulled me out, which was best decision - safety first.

“I get to go home safe instead going back out into the second and getting seriously hurt. It’s a shame because I was boxing well. It was probably the only shot that hit me.”