Shropshire boxer Shaun Walton faces Stephen Smith on Amir Khan’s undercard tonight in a fight that could propel him into the sport’s fast lane.
The popular super featherweight from Randlay in Telford is the opponent for former ABA champion Smith in his first professional bout.
Liverpool’s Smith has turned pro after narrowly missing out on selection for the Great Britain Olympic squad and is tipped to carve out a big career.
His elder brother Paul is trained by the father of Floyd Mayweather and featured prominently in the American series of The Contender.
It would be a massive upset if Walton was to record only his fifth victory of a hectic three-year career, but if he could pull it off at Birmingham’s National Indoor arena, many doors would open for the 33-year-old.
Walton who has lost 32 of his 39 bouts has saved many a show by stepping in at the last moment with scant regard for who he is up against, but this time he has had a seven week spell of preparation.
“It’s been good to have some time rather than receiving a phone call on Monday saying ‘you’re fighting on Saturday’,” he said.
“I feel proper fit for a change.
“I tried to psych Stephen out a bit in the weigh-in as this is his first professional fight so he’s bound to be nervous.
“But he’s got a good amateur record, comes from a good fighting family and has a good pedigree.”
Walton knows that his best chance of success is a knock-out. He is likely to be up against it if it goes the four round distance.
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