KURT WALKER TODAY advanced to the last-16 stage of the featherwight class at the World Championships in Russia with a split decision win over Columbian southpaw David Avila.
Walker, the reigning European champion and the Irish team captain, won what was his first bout of the tournament 4-1.
The final scorecards read 30-27, 29-28,29-28,29-28, 27-30 in Walker’s favour. The Antrim fighter will face Canada’s Robin Basran on Tuesday, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.
There was disappointment later in the day for Ireland, however, with Dublin heavyweight Kirill Afanasev losing a split decision to Bulgaria’s Radoslav Panaleev. Afanasev lost by the scoreline as Walker won by – 4-1.
There are another two Irish fighters in action tomorrow. Antrim welterweight Aidan Walsh faces England’s No.2 seed Pat McCormack in the last 32 in a repeat of the 2018 Commonwealth final – won by McCormack – while Michael Nevin, who has already won twice at this tournament, faces Russia’s Gleb Bakshi for a place in the last eight.
Total mismatch from start to finish. Hope he got a good pay day for taking a beating.
Two weeks to drop a full weight division is a crazy ask. But I guess when opportunity knocks you gotta answer so fair play to him for giving it his best.
What amazing persons you are paul…hold your head high you were brilliant and if thats what you do at short notice the ufc better watch out….far play mate you did Dublin proud..
I wonder what would’ve happened if he refused to take it. Too short notice should be outlawed.