AmateurHeadline News

Gutsy Kurt Walker eliminated from World Championships


Kurt Walker came back from a near-knockout blow this afternoon and gave one of the top fighters in the world a real scare, but the Antrim man found himself defeated in Hamburg.

Ireland’s first boxer up at the World Championships, the Lisburn bantamweight was eliminated on a split decision by Domincan Leonel De Los Santos in the Round of 32 in Germany.

While the cards have yet to been revealed, it would look as though a first round knockdown proved crucial.

A cagey first round exploded in the final minute. Santos landed a looping overhand right as the stanza started to open up and the Dominican then landed a huge left hook that floored Walker heavily, seeing the dazed Canal man go limp as he went down. Walker did well to beat the count and survive a barrage from Santos as he went looking for the finish.

Walker came back strongly and pressed the action in the second, arguably taking the quieter round with a strong finish.

A brilliant third saw the Ulsterman make a quick start, landing early flurries and using the 1-2 to good effect against the languid Santos.

Going to the cards there would be no joy for Walker, who was eliminated on a split decision

Four Irish boxers remain, with light welter Sean McComb in action tonight against Brazilian Joedison De Jesus.

gym trition

frayne carpentry

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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