We analyse the credentials and statistics of Harry Scarff and Conah Walker as the pair get set to go head-to-head in a highly-anticipated domestic bout on Saturday 25th January, 2025.
While the boxing world waits for the next big fight made by Turki Alalshikh, there is still the bread and butter domestic success to be had back in the UK.
On 25th January in Nottingham the first British title clash of the year brings together welterweight champion Harry Scarff and challenger Conah Walker.
After dipping his toes into the world scene, Scarff is back at domestic level in the first defence of his Lonsdale belt.
Will the champion be a ‘Horrible’ test for Walker or will the Wolverhampton fighter maintain his momentum and cap off a memorable period by winning the coveted championship?
Let’s look at the 'Tale of the Tape'...
Harry Scarff | Conah Walker | |
Age: | 31 | 29 |
Nickname: | ‘Horrible’ | N/A |
Height: | 6ft 1ins | 6ft 0ins |
Reach: | 73ins | Unknown |
Weight: | Welterweight | Unknown |
Trainer: | Clifton Mitchell | Richie Ghent |
Record: | 13-3 (3 KOs) | 14-3-1 (5 KOs) |
Last Fight: | Lost (UD) v Karen Chukhadzhian (May 2024) | Won (UD) v Lewis Ritson (November 2024) |
Harry Scarff’s nickname tells you exactly what type of fight you are in for.
The current British and Commonwealth welterweight champion likes to impose his style and draw you into what he likes to do best, and if he wins the exchanges, pressurises you and leave you no room to work then chances are you are in for an extremely difficult fight.
His win over Ekow Essuman not only gave him the biggest triumph of his career, but earned himself the 12-round badge for the very first time.
From there, the Derby fighter found himself in an IBF final eliminator against Karen Chukhadzhian in Germany. Scarff found the Ukrainian to be a bit more clever than what he was used to back in the UK but he did not disgrace himself and if anything he can take that as a learning curve to become a better fighter.
The problem against Conah Walker, however, is he will be defending his titles against someone who will thrive off everything Scarff tries and possesses.
Walker will be in the pocket with him and will happily oblige in a rough house scrap which he won’t look out of place in.
It won’t be for the purists but this fight will once again remind us how much the British title means and prove why these two are so close in the betting, but Scarff may just find himself out-worked on the night.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Awkward style | Power |
Fights ugly | Open to body shots |
Size | Wild swings |
Reach | Mobility |
Conah Walker’s latest spot on a big UK show is a just reward for his efforts in his last four fights.
Beating Cyrus Pattinson in August 2023 brought eyes on him such was the beating administered by the Wolverhampton boxer.
A narrow defeat to Irish hope Lewis Crocker was sandwiched in between two more wins against Lloyd Germain and Lewis Ritson, respectively, proving Walker has the ability to dust himself off and make the most of a TV slot.
Winning the British welterweight title, however, will open up more doors for him and could pave the way for bigger nights in the Midlands.
Scarff may have looked at his first challenger and believe Walker’s aggression in the ring looks simple to contain but it’s an effective aggression which wears down his opponents and still keeps him honest in fights that aren’t going his way.
Walker only knows one direction and that is forward, landing thudding shots to head and body. The rangy frame of Harry Scarff could be made for a fighter of Walker’s capabilities and his arsenal may be the decisive factor which separates the two fighters on points.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Work-rate | Vulnerable to uppercuts |
Punch variety | Power |
Chin | Lapses of concentration |
Fights at fast pace | Lack of head movement |