‘It’s brilliant’ – Kurt Walker happy despite having to ditch noted style

Noted stylist Kurt Walker showed he can get down and dirty when needs be.

The bantamweight is a noted skills specialist, but knew the box and move approach wouldn’t work against the superbly fit  Samuel Kistohurry in yesterday’s European Games quarter final clash. 

As a result the Canal BC fighter elected to stand and fight for the first time in his career and he proved it’s an approach he is capable of mastering, as he registered a come from behind win.

Kistohurry edged the first round on a 3-2 but Walker took the second and third frames across the board to seal the victory.

“It feels brilliant,” he reflected afterwards.

“It’s probably the first ever time I’ve fought in that style : he was too fit to keep off and he would have caught me on the back foot so I had to fight his style which I’ve never really done, so I’m just glad I tried it and won myself a medal.

Walker who was out of the ring for some time at the start of 2019 has now seen off two tough battlers having defeat Zhirayr Saeqsyan in the opening round. 

The two workouts will only prove to help in his bid to upgrade the colour of the medal and he argues he is getting sharper by the round.

“That’s two tough fights now, but I’m happy, I’m improving every time. Our team is flying at the moment so it’s brilliant.”

Walker now faces a mouthwatering semi final bout with 2017 European champion and world bronze medal winner Peter McGrail of Team GB.