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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Kurt Walker shines on pro debut with first-round win over Jaroslav Hriadel

Kurt Walker's pro debut ended in devastating fashion as the Lisburn featherweight dismantled Jaroslav Hriadel inside one round in Glasgow.

The former European amateur champion wasted little time to make his mark in the paid ranks.

Walker landed a punishing left hook to the ribs of his Czech opponent who crumpled to the canvas and was unable to beat the count.

The Lisburn fighter admitted his game plan was to target the body of Hriadel, and it didn't take long for his shots to take their toll at the Hydro Arena.

"I felt brilliant," Walker told Sky Sports.

"I knew to work him to the body, so the first 90 seconds I used the right hand to the body, and then when I changed it up it came with the knockdown and the victory.

"So I am delighted."

Walker added: "I have been working on body shots every single day. I threw them but I wasn't using too much force. I was still a bit like the amateurs, so I tried to sit down on them a bit more.

"I was a bit too fast so I have plenty of learning to do."

Walker said he revelled in the experience of making his pro debut, and all the hype and fanfare that surrounded his bow.

And he hopes to return to action "in the next month or two" as he looks to stay busy in 2022.

"I enjoyed it," he said.

"When you're fighting as an amateur you're in an airport for eight hours and travelling all the time. I was able to chill out and watch other fighters feel the pressure. I felt like I was on holiday.

"I would like to be back out in the next month or two, and have about five or six fights this year."

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