Liam Davies vs Kurt Walker Predictions: Davies looks to bounce back from Masoud defeat

Liam Davies looks to get back in the win column this Saturday, May 10, as he takes on unbeaten Kurt Walker. The vacant IBF international featherweight championship is on the line, with the bout taking place on the undercard of Anthony Cacace’s tasty tussle with Leigh Wood. The Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham will play host to a bumper card, with DAZN screening the show.

Here are my Liam Davies vs Kurt Walker predictions ahead of a standout fight.

Liam Davies vs Kurt Walker Odds

Davies is a solid favourite at 2/9 while unbeaten Walker is the live underdog at 18/5. A draw is priced at 16/1.

Liam Davies vs Kurt Walker Fight Preview

The new era starts now for Liam Davies. After losing his IBO super bantamweight bauble to Shabaz Masoud via close-but-fair split decision, the Donnington man looks to rebuild a featherweight. 

Standing in his way is a man yet to taste professional defeat. A gold medalist in multiple major European amateur competitions and a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Walker can walk the walk. He is unblemished as a professional, with a 12-0 record to his name.

Applause is due for both men here. Davies could have taken a soft-touch as he acclimatised to the extra four pounds on his frame. Walker could have protected his ‘0’ by taking a gentler fight than Davies. But both have put their chips on the table as they vie for the IBF international belt and possible world ranking on offer.

Davies has long-struggled to make super bantamweight. While he had gone undefeated until meeting Masoud, becoming IBO, British and Commonwealth king in the process, the toll on his 5’10 frame was immense. 

Davies beat some fine opposition at 122 pounds. The Shropshire lad outpointed Erik Robles to win his IBO crown, the only man to defeat world-ranked Brit Lee McGregor. Davies turned over former British, Commonwealth and European champion Jason Cunningham in a single round. He also outscored the always-tough Ionut Baluta and Italian hope Vincenzo La Femina in European title contests.

When Walker’s record is compared, it looks a little like a mismatch. But Davies is coming off the uncertainty of that loss to Masoud. His underdog opponent just had too much for him that night, looking much sharper and landing the cleaner shots. Can Walker capitalise on any tentativeness?

Walker is well-schooled and brave. Not many standout amateurs with Commonwealth and European Championships medals find themselves as the underdog in their 13th fight. But in many ways, this is the sort of fight Walker needs.

The Irishman is 30 years old now and time waits for no man, particularly in the lower divisions. While he does not have too many miles on the clock in-ring, the body naturally starts to challenge us as the ‘2’ turns to a ‘3’. This roll of the dice makes sense for Walker. Either stick around and pad the record, potentially missing the boat as the division moves on, or collect a scalp of prominence and renown. Walker has opted to attempt the latter.

It will not be easy. More decorated men than Walker have tried and failed. Masoud looked special when grinding out his own victory. Can Walker do the same to Davies? Or will ‘Dangerous’ re-establish himself at this new weight?

Liam Davies vs Kurt Walker Full Card

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Liam Davies vs Kurt Walker Prediction

As with any step-up in poundage, the weight is usually the big talking point. Walker is a proper featherweight and he wears it well. Davies was lean at the super bantamweight limit. Will filling out negate his skills? Or will the lessened strain of boiling down so far in weight actually free up reserves of energy?

Walker will have learned a lot from his last outing. Opponent Lyon Blackstock had fought the likes of former IBF champion Anthony Cacace and title challenger Zelfa Barrett, going the distance with both. Walker took the in on a majority decision, deservedly grinding out a victory over a ‘The Lion’.

What Walker lacks is power. Even though many of his early fights were against journeyman foes, as is normal for a rookie pro, he usually went the distance with them. There is nothing wrong with relying on your boxing skills, but that lack of pop can prove to be a barrier at the top level. 

I think it will prove to be a barrier here. A stronger, more comfortable Davies with something to prove is a dangerous opponent. The Masoud loss does not erase everything the 29-year-old has accomplished. Davies has faced a high class of opposition, while Walker takes on a top fighter for the first time.

I am leaning towards Davies on points at 9/4. He has been there, done that and bought the t-shirt at this level. This is a man who was starting to break through on the world stage. I think that journey continues with a decision win in Nottingham.

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