Walker returns at welterweight

Wellington · Post by **Wellington** » 14 May 2007, 09:27

Walker returns at welterweight

David ‘Kid Dynamite’ Walker believes he can still be a force to be reckoned with as he makes his comeback at welterweight on the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ event at ExCeL London in Docklands on Friday, May 18th.

The Hennessy Sports boxer was last in action against Manchester’s Jamie Moore in a fourth round stoppage loss for the British Light-middleweight Title in September 2005.

But Walker is returning a division down and is refreshed after his break from the sport. The former two-weight Southern Area champion and European Title challenger is now eager to convince promoter Mick Hennessy and trainer Rob McCracken that he will soon be ready to fight for another championship.

“I had my first amateur fight in 1987 so I have been boxing 20 years now,” said Walker. “Until this break I’ve had, I’ve not had a rest from the sport at all and kept very busy.

“It was good to take a bit of time out. My wife has given birth to a boy and I think the rest has done me good. I feel fresh again.

“This is the last throw of the dice for me and I’m at my natural weight. I wasn’t big enough at light-middleweight, but only lost to two good boys in Jamie Moore and Roman Karmazin.

“I feel a lot better at welterweight and I believe I can still win the British Title which I have been dreaming of doing since I was ten years old.

“I was a big puncher at welterweight and voted most entertaining fighter of the year, but I’m going to try and do a few things differently this time.

“I’ve been listening to my trainer Rob McCracken and trying to put into action what he has been telling me. I’m also a lot fitter than before.

“I’ve got faith in Mick Hennessy and Rob McCracken. They will look after me and will pick the right fights for me. Hopefully in two or three fights I will have my sharpness back and can then look to a title fight.”

‘Kid Dynamite’ was involved in explosive encounters against Jimmy Vincent and Spencer Fearon before his European Light-Middleweight challenge against Russian Roman Karmazin – a future world champion - in 2003.

And Walker, once labelled ‘Britain’s Most Exciting Boxer,’ is confident he can once again be a big name.

He said: “I need to show I’m dedicated and ready for it. Mick Hennessy and Rob McCracken need to see that I’m serious about what I’m saying and that’s what I intend to do.

“The British welterweight scene is wide open for me. There are some good fighters in there, but none that worry me too much.

“I know what I’ve got to do to put things right. I just wish I had this approach a few years ago because I’m ready to get to the top.”

For the latest bill and ticket information, please visit HennessySports.com

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 14 May 2007, 09:35

Great to see a top bloke back. Good luck.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 14 May 2007, 10:02

If Walker gets a few wins, I wouldn't mind seeing him with Nuumbembe. Styles' makes fights and all that... I think Nuumbembe would provide the best opportunity for a title for Walker.

Carbo · Post by **Carbo** » 14 May 2007, 10:46

I definitely got the impression that Walker was under-sized and under-powered for 154, but even taking that into account, he looked ropey plenty of times apart from his two losses. I really got the impression he was a bit shot.

I hope he does well, and his excitement only adds to a really excellent domestic welterweight division. And at least they seem to be fighting eachother, instead of missing the chances of the light-middles of a few years ago. Or is it just Kevin Anderson taking the risks?

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 14 May 2007, 13:10

Carbo wrote:Or is it just Kevin Anderson taking the risks?

Yeah you've really got to admire Anderson and his team's attitude - he hardly ever takes any time/record filling fights - Mutley, Numembe,Okine and now Magee - he's hardly taking the soft options is he? And now theres talk of him challenging big punching Jackson Bonsu for the european title. Back to Walker and I'd like to see how he does in his warmup fights before putting him in again at title level - I remember watching him struggle badly with journeyman Kevin Phelan at lightmiddle.

Podmore_Birmingham · Post by **Podmore_Birmingham** » 14 May 2007, 13:30

‘Mr Excitement’ was Walker. But i saw him the fight before he fought Jamie Moore - i think it was on the undercard of Froch-Barney - and he was dropped, albeit briefly, in the opening round by Howard Clarke.

No offence to 'Clakka', a top bloke, but he hasn’t tried to win in a long-while, let alone chin someone in the opening round. As i remember, Walker only just squeaked past him that night.

And that has always been David's problem - durability. Brave, certainly, but doesn't hold the greatest shot. That said, he usually gets up.

Maybe the long lay-off, as he says it has, will have done him good.

Tom Podmore.

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 14 May 2007, 13:55

kid dynamite is fighting the catweazle on friday night.

Podmore_Birmingham · Post by **Podmore_Birmingham** » 14 May 2007, 14:00

rhino222 wrote:kid dynamite is fighting the catweazle on friday night.

Sensible comeback fight for Walker; he doesn't want to be thrown in with a top 20 opponent after a couple of years out. This is last-chance saloon, remember.

I’m a big fan of 'Catweazle' Hudson - a big favourite in these parts.

Billy Smith said to me that he thinks he is fighting Dave Stewart on Friday night.

Tom Podmore.

Daveyswan · Post by **Daveyswan** » 14 May 2007, 14:01

David is in excellent shape been training hard and feels good and positive

He holds and delivers a shot much better at Welter
Daveyswan

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 14 May 2007, 15:11

we are slowly piecing together the bill, catweazle fights walker over 8x3 min rounds.

im not sure how much more walker has got left, this really is his last shout, one more defeat away from the end of his career i think, hope he pulls off a decent run of results though, id love to see him claim the british title before he calls it a day.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 14 May 2007, 15:13

black panther wrote:
Carbo wrote:Or is it just Kevin Anderson taking the risks?
Yeah you've really got to admire Anderson and his team's attitude - he hardly ever takes any time/record filling fights - Mutley, Numembe,Okine and now Magee - he's hardly taking the soft options is he? And now theres talk of him challenging big punching Jackson Bonsu for the european title. Back to Walker and I'd like to see how he does in his warmup fights before putting him in again at title level - I remember watching him struggle badly with journeyman Kevin Phelan at lightmiddle.

Oh yes, absolutely you cannot ask for much better than that. Although, he was forced to fight all four I believe by the boards... so it will be interesting to see what opponent he will face next.

Two mandated challenges, and two mandated defences.

I'm not doubting it won't be a hard fight, but I think the option for an easy one will be available for the first time.

Incidently, how tight is Anderson at the weight. I'm just wandering if with his new coach if a Light Welterweight run isn't possible. If he could make 10 stone then Bami vs Anderson would be a bit of a thriller.

Scooby Doo · Post by **Scooby Doo** » 14 May 2007, 16:29

David Walker struggled to make Light Middleweight. So he really is going to have to work to make Welterweight. Its not the weight making issues that are going to matter in this particular case, its how many hard fights and shots Walker had to take is what should concern everyone who like David. I see theres a fight against Ben Hudson, regardless of how much this is a comeback fight, how on earth is Hudson going to prepare or get Walker knowing anything more than he already does or what some good sparring against the likes of Thirwall, O'Donnell, Stewart, Froch and the rest of the Hennessy boys. What a total waste of time the Hudson fight is.

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 14 May 2007, 17:05

its all about rebuilding confidence and your record for a final assault on the british title..xx

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 14 May 2007, 17:20

Training and real fighting are two different things, so its understandable that Walker have a few fights like this to get his confidence back... I would like to see him do well... I just hope that he isnt pushed into a title fight too soon...

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 14 May 2007, 17:31

Exactly confidence in boxing is so important - and wins at whatever level help this. I think after another Hudson level type fight if Walker looks okay he should fight Robert Lloyd Taylor - a good step up the ladder to british title level.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 15 May 2007, 08:33

Hudson is fair choice of opponent, given the layoff. I like the thought of Walker getting quite a few 8x3's under his belt to build up his stamina, before serious talk of title fights starts.

Lloyd-Taylor is a good call for an opponent in a couple of fights time, maybe over 10x3s.