Sam Eggington fires 'horrible' warning as build-up to Conah Walker showdown continues

Sam Eggington is confident of claiming the “key to the Midlands” by beating Conah Walker in next month’s hotly-anticipated showdown.

The pair meet at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on May 2 in the biggest boxing match the region has seen in years.

Eggington was involved in the last big all-Midlands clash when he beat Frankie Gavin nearly a decade ago.

And though the 45-fight veteran will face Walker as an underdog, he is predicting the same outcome.

He told the Express & Star: “It’s probably the biggest fight in the Midlands since I fought Frankie.

“I won that one and I want to win this fight as well. I want the key to the Midlands!

“I give full respect to Conah. I feel we have the same mindset. He is here to fight and that is what we will do.

“It stands to be a good fight. You only have to watch the way I box, the way he boxes, to see it will be a tear-up. How long it will last, I don’t know. But I don’t see it going 12 rounds!”

Wolverhampton’s Walker is on one of the best runs in British boxing and close to landing a world title shot after beating Olympic silver medallist Pat McCormack last time out.

The 30-year-old had hoped to challenge for Lewis Crocker’ IBF welterweight crown, before the latter was ordered to face Australia’s Liam Paro.

That opened the door for the match-up with Eggington, with the latter explaining how the fight was agreed over the course of a weekend.

“I was mandated to box the European light-middleweight title but wasn’t really getting any purse bids and then Conah’s fight fell through,” he said.

“I put a message on social media, saying I am only down the road, I will fight.

“It was an easy fight to make really. I think I put the message on socials on the Friday and by the Monday, it was pretty much done.”

He continued: “Conah is on a bit of a wave. I have no disrespect for him. I don’t know him that well but I know he is a cool guy.

“It is a cliche but it is a business. I have full confidence I will go in there and do a job.”

For Eggington, speaking on a visit to his newest sponsor, Wolverhampton-based SFC Europe, the fight offers the chance to put himself firmly back in the spotlight for a world title shot.

The 32-year-old has found opportunities hard to come by despite impressive wins over Joe Pigford and Lee Cutler in recent years.

Eggington, who has not fought since beating Cutler on points last April, was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award by the WBC but insists there is still plenty left in the tank.

He smiled: “It is like they are telling me to retire, giving me that award!

“To be honest, I think people are trying to keep me out now. When I beat Pigford, it took nearly a year to get a fight. It’s been the same now.

“I have to be realistic. I have lost nine fights, have no belts to offer. There is more risk than reward facing me.

“Whether you beat me or not, you are going to have a terrible night and people know that.

“A lot of people get in the ring with me and think it will be an easy night.

“But it isn’t. It is horrific from the first bell to the last. Not a lot of them can finish it.”