Gutsy Kurt Walker eliminated from World Championships

Kurt Walker came back from a near-knockout blow this afternoon and gave one of the top fighters in the world a real scare, but the Antrim man found himself defeated in Hamburg.

Ireland’s first boxer up at the World Championships, the Lisburn bantamweight was eliminated on a split decision by Domincan Leonel De Los Santos in the Round of 32 in Germany.

While the cards have yet to been revealed, it would look as though a first round knockdown proved crucial.

A cagey first round exploded in the final minute. Santos landed a looping overhand right as the stanza started to open up and the Dominican then landed a huge left hook that floored Walker heavily, seeing the dazed Canal man go limp as he went down. Walker did well to beat the count and survive a barrage from Santos as he went looking for the finish.

Walker came back strongly and pressed the action in the second, arguably taking the quieter round with a strong finish.

A brilliant third saw the Ulsterman make a quick start, landing early flurries and using the 1-2 to good effect against the languid Santos.

Going to the cards there would be no joy for Walker, who was eliminated on a split decision

Four Irish boxers remain, with light welter Sean McComb in action tonight against Brazilian Joedison De Jesus.