Boxing News Boxing News
Walker looking to get back into title picture.
Former two-weight Southern Area champion David Walker is looking to get back amongst the titles in 2005. “Kid Dynamite’ appears on the Hennessy Sports “Born To Do It’ promotion on November 12th at the Wembley conference centre in just his third fight since his unsuccessful challenge for the European Title against Roman Karmazin last year. He feels it is the last tune up he needs before getting back into Championship action. “I am itching to get back amongst it – the sooner the better as far as I am concerned,” he said.
“I have to be honest; I don’t really enjoy these warm up fights. I find them a bit hard to get up for. I love the big occasion.”
“I know it didn’t go according to plan in my last title fight against Karmazin, I let the moment get to me, but I am still confident I can operate at a decent level.”
“One aim I have always had is to win the British title. That is still very much on my agenda. I feel I have more than enough to beat current champion Jamie Moore.”
“There is also the English title now which is a great one to hold. After this fight I will be sitting down with my promoter Mick Hennessy and hopefully getting a tilt at one of those two next year. Preferably in my next fight!”
At whatever level he competes, Walker always features in entertaining affairs. He was involved in arguably the best scraps of 2002 and 2003, against Paul Dyer and Spencer Fearon respectively, earning himself the tag line of “Britain’s most exciting boxer.’ 2004 has also seen him involved in a barnstormer, albeit over only six rounds against Kevin Phelan last time out. It, however, was not an encounter he enjoyed. “I made really hard work of that one,” the twenty-eight-year-old admits. “It may have been a good fight for the crowd – at one point we just stood there trading blow after blow – but it wasn’t for me. “I just didn’t box for most of it. When I did down the stretch I took command from behind my jab, but I was really disappointed.”
“A lot of that comes down to the fact that I got a cut in the first that needed three stitches and I let it affect my boxing.”
“But it’s onwards and upwards. The real “Kid Dynamite’ will be appearing from now on – so watch out all you light middles!”
Barker looking forward to London debut.
Former amateur star Darren Barker is looking forward to his first professional appearance in London when he boxes on the Hennessy Sports “Born To Do It’ promotion at the Wembley Conference Centre on November 12th. The Barnet boy first stepped through the ropes without a vest back in September at the Nottingham arena when impressively dominating former world title challenger Howard Clarke over six lively rounds. His supporters were vocal that night. An even livelier reception can be expected this time round. “There is a bit of a buzz around Barnet for this one,” explained the twenty-two-year-old. “A good few of the locals travelled up to Nottingham to cheer me on, but a lot more are coming this time round.”
“Wembley is only a stones throw away and this is my first time out in the capital, so it should prove something of an occasion.”
Barker can always be relied upon to put on a show. As an amateur he excited, most notably landing a commonwealth games gold medal in 2002 on the BBC. The nation celebrated with him as he sank to his knees when awarded a decision over Ugandan Mohammed Kayongo in the final. “That win was the culmination of so much hard work, a dream come true,” added “Dazzling’.
“I am pretty confident there will be plenty moremoments like that in the future.”
“Every day I grow in confidence in the gym under Tony Simms, I am constantly becoming a better and better professional.”
“If they hadn’t abolished the light middleweight ranks in the amateurs I would most probably have not turned over yet, but now that I have I am pleased.”
“I have handled the switch well, particularly the move to three minute rounds. I went straight into a six rounder against Clarke and breezed it.”
“But there is no rush. There is so much to learn in this game and I am happy to absorb it at a reasonable pace, whilst gaining experience on Hennessy Sports under cards.”
“I am not saying I won’t be targeting titles in a few fights time, but I know I won’t be at my peak probably for another four years. “By that time I will be more than ready to hit the genuine world championship scene.”
“Born To Do It’ takes place at the Wembley Conference Centre on Friday November 12th. The headline contest sees Junior Witter defend his European light welterweight title against Poland’s Krzysztof Bienias. A full bill is available at www.HennessySports.com. Tickets are available on 0870 060 0870.
