Conah Walker to face Sam Eggington in all-Midlands 'megafight'
Conah Walker will face Sam Eggington in the biggest all-Midlands boxing matches for decades.
The pair will meet at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday, May 2, in a 12-round catchweight contest which is almost guaranteed to be an all-action affair.
Walker, the former British welterweight champion is on one of the best runs in boxing and close to challenging for a world title.
But the 30-year-old from Wolverhampton is ready to put it all on the line against the vastly experienced Eggington, who has won titles at British, European and world level in a 45-bout career.
Walker, who stopped two-time Olympian Pat McCormack in Monaco last December, had hoped to challenge Lewis Crocker for his IBF world title, only for the latter to be ordered to face Australia’s Liam Paro instead.
He said: “The next best thing was a homecoming in Wolverhampton.
"I’d like to thank my manager Sam Jones, Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith for making it a reality.
“The opponent in Sam Eggington couldn’t be more fitting. It will be a special fight for the fans.
"Look, I’m a 147lbs fighter, Sam is a 154 fighter – but we’ve made it happen for the fans and we will put on an amazing spectacle on May 2. But there’s only one winner and that’s me.”
Eggington, 32, has made a habit of upsetting the odds throughout his career.
He replied “Lee Cutler and Joe Pigford both picked me for the away corner.
“Different fighters, different venues. Same result incoming. Conah Walker, you are next.”
Matchroom chairman, Eddie Hearn, added: “Conah Walker is on the cusp of greatness.
“After his sensational win in Monaco over Pat McCormack, he couldn’t be closer to a world title shot.
“But he’s got to go through the trenches again, this time in front of his home fans.
“A win over a tough, experienced operator in Sam Eggington would put an exclamation mark on his pursuit for glory.”
The Walker-Eggington clash will complete a big few weeks for Midlands boxing, with Wolverhampton featherweight Gully Powar due to challenge Rhys Edwards for the British title on April 4.
Darlaston Olympic hero Ben Whittaker will, meanwhile, make his return in Liverpool on April 18.
Whittaker, who has not boxed since November, has been included on the undercard of Callum Smith and David Morrell’s light-heavyweight clash. An opponent for the 28-year-old will be announced in due course.
