Walker can shine in Sugar Kane TV clash
Walker and Gardner at weigh-in. Pic: VIP Boxing Promotions
IN a hectic weekend for local fighters, with bouts spread around the country like splintered glass, one contest shines like a diamond.
The eight rounder between Conah Walker and Kane Gardner may prove the best of the bunch. And there are an awful lot of bouts in that bunch.
The pair clash tonight (Friday) at the University of Bolton Stadium in a show televised by Channel 5. It’s heartening to know our sport still has a place on terrestrial TV.
It represents Walker’s first test at light-welter (10st), having moved down from welter.
The decision to shed weight surprised this writer. Wolverhampton’s Walker is built like a bull, trades on power and delivers body shots like a lumberjack taking an axe to a redwood.
But Walker looked healthy at yesterday’s weigh-in. His face was neither ashen or drawn.
Originally trained by Ricky Hatton in Manchester before linking-up with his own Black Country Boxing Promotions, 27-year-old Walker is a talent. He is a warrior.
He proved that in his only loss on a 13 bout record. English welter champ Samuel Antwi was a huge favourite going into their February, 2022, title fight, but was pushed all the way by Walker.
Conah was to have faced Manchester’s Gardner, a fine amateur and England international, last September, but suffered a hand injury.
The pair know each other, having sparred during the Hatton days.
West Midlands fans know Gardner, also 27. He looked decidedly lucky to gain a points win over Digbeth’s Ben Fields – one of the game’s genuine hard men. In a return just two weeks later, justice was done, with Fields taking the decision – and dropping “Sugar” in the first.
The only other boxer to beat Gardner in a 17 bout career is Liverpool’s Tom Farrell who sports an unremarkable 21-6 record.
The stats suggest Gardner is a respectful, but not “lights out” puncher.
At the weigh-in, Walker told VIP TV: “It (the camp) has been good. I made it (the weight) easier than I have in the past.
“I’ve trained diligently. My diet has been on since Christmas and the weight just keeps coming down. I’m not fighting no more journeymen, I’m past that. I’ll slip back into old habits if I do that. These are the fights I want, these are the fights I need.
“It’s only a matter of time before I’m fighting for title. Anyone can have it.”
Gardner said: “I’m never in a dull fight and neither is Conah Walker. This will be the fight of the night.”
Logically, what Tom Farrell and our own Ben Fields can do, Walker can do better. Gardner has carried too many amateur traits into his paid career.
It’s Conah’s time to shine and I’m glad he’s got the opportunity to do it before a large, national armchair audience.
Conah, I believe, will take a points win.
Daryl Pearce….keeping a very busy schedule
The undercard features a Birmingham fighter I respect immensely.
Rednal’s Daryl Pearce – tough as teak – faces welterweight debutant Ashley Marron over four. The 29-year-old may have won only one, but he’s rugged and comes to fight.
And under father and son team Spencer McCracken Jnr and Snr, he’s earning well.
I’d love to see Daryl get a well deserved win.
On facebook, he revealed his attitude to the bloody business: “When I think and see where I've got to from the road I was going down, I’m proud of where I've got to.
“I've achieved more than I was probably expected to when I was younger. It ain’t been an easy road here, but I’ve done it. Had to learn the hard way, but I got there eventually - and this is just the start.”