Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker has finally claimed the Welterweight Midlands area title against a very tough opponent in Levi Ferguson. Walker has been waiting a long time to get his hands on this title after injury and lockdowns had scuppered his title quest. Both fighter had similar records with Walker having an unbeaten record of 8 wins and one draw with Ferguson winning five out of his 6 contests with his one defeat coming in his first crack at the Midlands area title.
The fight was streamed live on Fightzone from Sheffield and was on the undercard of Kash Ali's IBF Heavyweight European title challenge (28.5.21). Walker and Ferguson both weighed in 10 stone 6 for this highly anticipated 10 round contest.
Both fighters let their hands go from the start in the first round, with both fighters getting good shots off with Walker edging it. Walker took the center of the ring in the second and banged out some nice combinations, Ferguson came back with some good shots but Walker won the round on work rate. Walker continued his good work staying on the front foot showing great movement, Ferguson seemed to be waiting too long before letting his hands go but did get some good shots off, Walker edged the round again.
Ferguson picked up the pace at the start of the fourth but Walker replied taking the fight to him. Both fighters had joy in this back and forth round with Ferguson edging it. The fifth was another back and forth round with Walker pressing the fight, Ferguson was happy to counter and got on the front foot bear the end but it was Walker's round. A great battling performance by both fighters, Walker caught Ferguson with a nice one, two which caught Ferguson off guard knocking him back with the ropes keeping on his feet. With that the ref stepped in and gave Ferguson a standing 8 count, Ferguson looked fine and saw the rest of the round out with no issues.
Great movement and shot picking by Walker and seemed to be wearing Ferguson down, Ferguson fought back hard but it was Walker’s round. Ferguson got some good shots off at the start of the eighth, Walker replied with some great work on the inside, close round could not split them. Close ninth round as they both went toe two toe with Ferguson just edging the round. Ferguson poured on the pressure in the final round and let his hands go in a cracking contest, another round that could have gone either way, even round.
Referee Darren Sarginson scored the fight 96 to 95 to Walker myself I had it 98 to 93 Walker.
Dexter’s Thought’s
What an epic fight, this was for a Midlands area title but the way these two fighters went for it, it could of been a world title. I had Walker winning this fight by quite a big margin but every round was close and Ferguson was in every round I just thought Walkers got the cleaner shots off. On the ref's card, the 8 count was the telling factor as he only had a point in it at the end. Thus was a great fight to watch and is an early contender for the Midlands fight of the year. I can see Ferguson coming back from this and win a Midlands title but I can really see Walker moving on and contesting for English and even British titles but there is another Midlands fight I would love to see him fight. Walker was meant to fight Kaisee Benjamin for the Midlands last year and that is definitely a fight I’d like to see for the English or the British title. I look forward to seeing Conah progress in his career after his first title win.