Walker tells fans he is no longer with trainer Richie Ghent

British champ Conah Walker…”I’m forever grateful to Richie”

WOLVERHAMPTON’S welter champ Conah Walker has parted ways with trainer Richie Ghent.

It’s a move that has caught the local game by surprise – and comes three months after Walker registered the biggest win of his 19 fight career.

On January 25, the 29-year-old came from behind to poleaxe Harry Scarff in the 11th for the Lonsdale Belt.

No official announcement has been made over who will now train Walker, but sources have told me Salford’s Jamie Moore, former British and European light-middleweight champ, will take the reins.

On social media Conah posted: “Just want to say a massive thank you to Richie Ghent for an incredible five years. We’ve achieved so much together, and I’m forever grateful. Some of the best nights of my life have been shared with Rich, and I’ll never forget those moments.

“I would also like to thank Ian Turner and Richard Holland for the countless hours you have put into me.

“It’s not easy to say, but I’ve decided to move on and change trainers. This decision wasn’t taken lightly and it comes with nothing but respect for everything we’ve built. I’m hoping to share some fight news later this week—stay tuned.”

Walker began his career under the wing of Manchester legend Ricky Hatton. He then joined Ghent, a major figure in the major Black Country Boxing group, and enjoyed glorious nights. He moved seamlessly from small halls to stadiums.

Under Ghent, he announced his arrival on the big scene by mauling Cyrus Pattinson – a puncher being groomed for stardom – in eight violent rounds.

Unbeaten Welshman Lloyd Germaine was despatched in three and Walker further enhanced his reputation by dropping a hotly disputed decision to Belfast banger Lewis Crocker.

Newcastle’s former British champ Lewis Ritson was widely outpointed, setting up the astonishing victory over Scarff.

The Wolverhampton team seemed set for more wonderful nights – then came this week’s bombshell news.