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York Hall is the site for duo's final fight

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The Black Country duo facing their final fight in the England Senior Development Championships will have the famed York Hall as their battle-ground.

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Conah Walker and super heavyweight Solomon Dacres will be one step away from a national title when they climb into the ring,

writes Craig Birch.

It will come under the lights of the historic venue in London's Bethnal Green on Saturday afternoon, which is arguably the best-known boxing arena in the country.

Walker, from Merridale Boxing Club in Wolverhampton, booked his trip to the capital and took his undefeated record to 11-0 last weekend.

The 20-year-old, boxing for the third time in the competition, defeated Jack Phoenix unanimously on points at the Newdigate Sports & Social Club in Bedworth.

Phoenix, from the Larches & Savick Academy in Preston, was strong and imposing and got off to a good start, taking the first round.

But Walker took control from the second and was picking his shots by the third, leaving the judges in no doubt as his hand was raised.

The last hurdle pits him against another puncher in Roderick Douglas, from Broad Street in London. They clash at 75kg in Class A, for boxers with two to 10 bouts experience.

Merridale coach Zabir Ajaz said: "They announced the final was going to be at York Hall weeks ago and I remember Conah telling me 'there's no way I'm missing that!'

"He's boxed well to get this far and it seems that whatever an opponent brings to the table, he's able to adjust and get the job done.

"He loves to fight and he's tricky, too, he gets his angles right and punches where the other lad doesn't expect it. He susses people out.

"We are taking about 80 people down there to support him and he likes the buzz of a good crowd. This is the place to really perform.

"I don't want to be over-confident, but I'm 95 per cent certain he'll get the win. It won't be easy, but he always finds a way."

Merridale club-mate Louis Brown couldn't join him for the deciding line-up, having lost at 91kg in Class B (11 to 20 contests).

He went the full four rounds in an engaging semi-final slug-fest with Marcin Lerwicki, from Skerton in Lancaster.

Brown wobbled him with a left hook and two straight rights but it still went to the cards, where he lost by split decision.

Warley's Dacres is at 91kg plus in Class A and has been in dominant form, but had to battle through his last four encounter.

He conceded the first round to fellow Midlander Roman Lee, from Spire in Chesterfield, but hit back to eventually prevail.

The 21-year-old, who used to play professional rugby for Moseley, had scored three unanimous points victories in the tournament, but this time went to a split.

Warley coach Sodi Singh said: "He's improved a lot over his time with us, he's getting his movement right and his jab is working brilliant.

"If he sticks to the game-plan on Saturday, I think he's going to win."

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