Conah Walker believes he has never been in better form as he looks to cause an upset against highly touted Matchroom prospect Cyrus Pattinson writes Jack Heather.
The Wolverhampton native takes on the former amateur standout live on DAZN this Saturday from the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham.
Points losses to Samuel Antwi and Kane Gardner remain the only blemishes on Walker’s pro record with the BCB promotions-managed fighter keen to get back in the win column.
He said: “I think at this point in my career it will take a special fighter to beat me.”
“I feel like the boxes have been ticked and things are really coming together.
“I am entering the best part of my career.
“It has been like a 12-week camp as we were already preparing for another fight and then three or four weeks into camp, the opportunity came up to face Cyrus, so we jumped straight into it”.
Pattinson was picked up by Eddie Hearn after a stellar amateur career saw the North East boxer represent Great Britain at multiple international tournaments.
Now 6-0 as a pro, the Newcastle-born Pattinson has already picked up the WBA International welterweight title in only his sixth fight.
Despite Pattinson’s amateur success, Walker believes his experience in the paid ranks will prove to be the difference.
He said: “Cyrus has been a brilliant amateur, I can’t take anything away from him.
“He is a great fighter, but they are two different sports, professional and amateur.
“It takes you a good couple years to adjust from the amateurs.
“No matter how good you are, you can’t jump into the pro game and blitz through your first couple of opponents and then step up to the likes of a seasoned pro like me.
“I have had 14 pro bouts now, I am starting to understand the game, he’s still learning.”
Pattinson most recently stopped former British and Commonwealth champion Chris Jenkins in the ninth round.
The back-and-forth affair was one of the best fights of the year thus far and has propelled the 29-year-old into the forefront of British boxing.
Walker is also no stranger to a dust-up, with his English title bout against Samuel Anwti nominated for the 2022 fight of the year.
Both Britons favour a come-forward style which should mean for another exciting contest, a possibility Walker is relishing.
He said:” “I am yet to have someone in my pro career who has been willing to stand and have a fight with me, whether he does or not remains to be seen.
“He hasn’t shown much diversity in his six fights so far, he has been all guns blazing so hopefully that will work in my favour.
“If he does then that suits me, and if not, I will put him on his back foot and on his backside anyway”.
‘The Wolf’ is moving back up to welterweight after an unsuccessful venture down at super lightweight resulted in a points loss to Lancashire’s Kane Gardner.
The Richie Ghent-trained fighter has been unfortunate to lose two close points decisions and is under no illusions as to the way he must go about his business from the away corner.
He said: “He’s the home fighter, he’s the golden boy, and he has the title.
“I’m not going in there to win a close decision; I’m looking to take his head off.”
The 8/1 betting underdog will have a hometown advantage when he enters the arena on Saturday and expects a lot of his family and friends to make the short trip into Birmingham.
He said: “I have done loads of tickets.
“It is going to be a great night and it is only 25 minutes up the road.
“The event is sold out as well.”
The card will be headlined by 2020 Olympic Gold medallist Galal Yafia as he takes on fellow flyweight Tommy Frank.
BCB promotions-managed fighters Kane Baker and Aaron Bowen are also in action on the undercard.
