Hennessy: Walker will rise to title challenge

Concerns that David Walker will be out of his depth when he fights Roman Karmazin for the Russian's European light-middleweight title were today dismissed by Mick Hennessy, the challenger's manager.

Hennessy secured the title shot for Walker even though the 27-year-old from Sidcup has had just 21 professional fights and was floored twice by the lightly-regarded Spencer Fearon when the two men clashed in July.

On that occasion Walker climbed from the canvas to retain his Southern Area title, but he has yet to fight even an eliminator for the 11-stone division's British championship let alone meet anyone of Karmazin's stature.

Karmazin will come to the Alexandra Palace on Saturday having lost just one of his 33 fights and having stopped 20 of his 31 victims.

Hennessy's management rival Frank Maloney believes Walker may be found wanting because of his lack of experience and said: "Walker's team has put him well in over his head with Karmazin, who is a world class fighter. Roman may not stop him but I believe, because of David's bravery, he will take one hell of a beating."

Hennessy insisted: "Anyone who knows David is aware of how he can raise his game when he needs to. He loves a challenge, always has done.

"Not only is Dave the gutsiest fighter in the game, I think he is the most exciting and if anyone is going to pull this off, David Walker will. This is the sort of challenge he needed and I believe he'll do a job on Karmazin."