Walker: ‘It’s not just about the belt, it is about redemption’
Walker (right) after his savage war with Crocker
CONAH Walker, a snarling bulldog of a Black Country welter, makes no bones about the beef he has with British champ Harry Scarff.
There is, in the Wolverhampton warrior’s own words, “bad blood” flowing in the build-up to the pair’s clash at Nottingham Arena on January 25. Scarff’s Lonsdale Belt and Commonwealth crown are on the line in an epic 12 rounder.
“I don’t like him, to be honest,” Walker said. “I’m looking forward to beating him up and taking his belts.
“There’s a bit of redemption because he gave me my first loss in the amateurs. He beat me on a split (decision) on his home show.”
It’s fighting talk from a fighting man.
What you get with 29-year-old Walker is what it says on the tin. In the ring, he’s a bundle of disciplined fury, setting a relentless pace, applying suffocating pressure until opponents melt in the heat of battle.
He has an “old timers” mentality, preferring to test himself against the best – face men others won’t - rather than pad out his record with soft touches.
In 31-year-old Scarff, from Derby, Walker certainly faces a card-carrying member of the “who needs ‘em” club.
His style is awkward to the point of being nightmarish and has earned the champ the ring nickname, “Horrible Harry”. That’s not a reference to Scarff’s temperament.
It may not always be easy on the eye, but it is very effective. Scarff is a hard man to beat, as accomplished, rock solid British champ Ekow Essuman discovered when losing his title on points to Horrible Harry in 2023.
Because he’s so hard to fathom, Scarff has found big fights hard to get: among top men, he’s avoided like a virus. In May he travelled to Germany in search of work and dropped a 12 round decision to Ukranian Karen Chukhadzhyan. That was his sole contest in 2024.
In contrast, Walker really came of age. He destroyed previously unbeaten Lloyd Germain in three, outpointed former thunderous punching British lightweight champ Lewis Ritson and looked unlucky to drop a decision to feared Belfast banger Lewis Crocker in one of the best fights of the year.
Many felt the old gold gladiator should’ve had his hand raised after waging war with a KO artist who is now unbeaten in 19.
Walker is on a roll – and supremely confident he can solve the puzzle Scarff presents.
Conah Walker…true Black Country warrior
“They call him Horrible Harry,” Walker said. “Well, I’m a pretty horrible man to be in the ring with.
“No one wants to fight him, apparently, he’s the most avoided fighter in the UK. Therefore, there’s only one man for the job.”
That man being Walker, the boxer who takes assignments others will not.
I caught up with Conah during a Christmas of hard training. Turkey with all the trimmings, pigs in blankets and calorie crammed seasonal pudding was certainly off the menu.
He’s used to that sacrifice. This was his third Yuletide break spent in fight camp.
“Christmas was really nice,” Conah insisted, “I really enjoyed it. It was all about the little one – he’s two and understands it a bit more now.”
The contender is confident the sacrifice will deliver rewards on January 25. Scarff will face a man who is better with each bout, a boxer spurred on to greater things by the controversial loss to Crocker.
“I would’ve been ranked number two in the UK, 14 in the world,” he said. “Because of one thing or another, that knocked me back.
“2024 was a great year. I had a great knockout victory over Germain, beat a household name in Ritson and was in a fight of the year with Crocker. I’m fighting for the British and Commonwealth titles, it’s a fine start to 2025.
“I’m buzzing for it. You are always learning in boxing, that’s what I love most, and there are still things to learn. I’m always looking to improve, I keep getting better. I’ve broken more PBs (personal bests), my (boxing) IQ is improving, I’m consistent in my fights, I am learning how my body works.
“I started boxing at 18, I’m still in a position where every day is a learning day. I’m 29 and always said that at 35 I’d look hard and reflect. These are the crucial years for me.”
The fight may be in Nottingham, but I have no doubt Walker will have the lions’ – or should that be wolves’ – share of support come fight night. He has amassed a noisy, barmy army fan base.
He added: “It’s growing and it’s humbling because they have followed me from the start, from the amateurs. They know what I’m about.
“When I’m out, people have started to notice and recognise me. I’m so thankful.
“I’m a dangerous proposition for any fighter, but because I sell tickets, I get the opportunities.”
Conah Walker is set for the biggest boxing opportunity of his life. And he has no doubt the Lonsdale Belt is coming back to the Black Country.