Warrior Walker fights for British welter title

Making headlines…Walker (left) with stablemate Tyler Denny

CONAH Walker, a true old gold warrior to the bottom of his bootlaces, has his richly deserved British title shot.

He will meet welterweight champ Harry Scarff, an unorthodox fighter with more tricks, sleights and turns than a meeting of the Magic Circle, next month on a Matchroom promotion.

For Walker – a throwback bulldog of a boxer – the chance has been earned the hard way. The 29-year-old, who fights under the BCB banner, was given little chance of beating hot Geordie prospect Cyrus Pattinson, but mauled him in eight rounds. The Newcastle puncher met a pitbull that night.

He simply steamrollered unbeaten Welsh hope Lloyd Germain in three. He faced Belfast bomber Lewis Crocker – a man avoided like the plague by other prospects – and looked dreadfully unlucky to drop a contentious points decision.

And last time out, Walker handily outpointed former lightweight champ Lewis Ritson.

To get his Lonsdale Belt chance, the Black Country battler has fought those men the others would not.

The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed his battle with Scarff yesterday (Thursday). In a circular, the governing body announced:

“The Stewards decided to approve a request from promoter Eddie Hearn for the (Scarff-Walker) contest, which will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2025, in Nottingham. The winner to waive grace and defend against Liam Taylor when called upon to do so.”

Scarff, from Derby, is an elusive, jack-in-the-box champion who’ll pose Walker new problems. His style may not be particularly crowd-pleasing, but it’s very effective. He outpointed dominant champ Ekow Essuman to take the title but can be beaten and is coming off a loss to Ukranian Karen Chukhadzhyan.

He’s also dropped decisions to Anthony Fowler and Troy Williamson, both top class operators.

Walker, with three losses in 18 outings, doesn’t give a fig about reputations. He just wants to get in the trenches.

Previously trained by legend Ricky Hatton, he throws body shots like Manchester’s former world champ. He has the same fiery fighting DNA.

In a recent interview, he told me: “I’m constantly in the gym, learning and improving. I don’t take a backwards step, boxing is my life. I’m always trying to push to become a better Conah Walker.

“The way I fight, it’s about entertainment and aggression.”

It will need the best Conah Walker to beat Scarff.