My worst performance – ‘Axeman’

Having had a few days to reflect on his performance last Saturday night, when he decided not to continue after the seventh round in his World Boxing Organisation Super Featherweight title fight against Vasyl Lomachenko, Nicholas ‘The Axeman’ Walters has conceded that his long layoff from boxing had a devastating effect on him, and caused him to give what he described as “my worst performance as a professional boxer.”

Before going up against Lomachenko on Saturday, Walters last fought on December 12, 2015 against James Sosa in a 10-round non-title fight.

MAJORITY DRAW

The fight, which took place at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in New York, was scored as a majority draw, with two judges voting 95-95, while the other judge voted 96-94 for Sosa. This decision was regarded as a travesty, as most people who saw the fight thought that Walters had won.

Walters told STAR Sports that although he knew that Lomachenko was an outstanding boxer, he decided to take the fight as the year was ending fast without him getting into the ring competitively.

“I thought the risk was worth it,” he said. He also said that he knew that if he was properly prepared, he could win the fight.

“I now realise that I needed much more work. I got two southpaw sparring partners to work with me, but it turned out that they were no way of the calibre of Lomachenko. He was the fastest and smartest boxer that I have ever fought, and I just could not cope with his style,” Walters continued.

CRITICAL DECISIONS

He said that although he was disappointed with his performance and that he has suffered his first loss, he would come back stronger next year.

“I am going to take some time off and enjoy Christmas. I will then have to sit down and make some critical decisions as to the way forward. I have asked Uncle Bob (Arum) for some more fights next year, and I am confident that he will deliver. One fight in a year is just not good enough for me. I would like at least three fights next year. I will be very dedicated because I know that I let down all my fans all over the world, and that I have to make it up to them. Trust me, I will be back, better than ever.”