Walters on Possible Lomachenko Fight: ‘I’m Not Ducking or Dodging Anyone’

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    imagesNicholas Walters moved his professional record to a perfect 25-0, (21 KO) by handing Nonito Donaire just his second defeat in 35 fights at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on October 18th. In doing so he  handed the Filipino his first ever stoppage loss in the sixth round of the scheduled twelve.

    After the fight Walters spoke of how he needed to adjust his tactics against Donaire mid-fight in order to take control of proceedings, after being wobbled by a left hook from Donaire as the bell rang to conclude the second stanza.

    “Normally when I fight I tend to counter my opponent but tonight I was fighting a great counter-puncher. In the second round he caught me with a good shot, so I realized I cannot keep the fight in one dimension. I had to give him the opportunity to counter, then counter him after.”

    When asked if it was the hardest he had ever been hit he replied, “Not the hardest, but one of the most clear shots because he is very quick. He’s very experienced also.”
    Ultimately Walters was magnanimous in victory and very complimentary to the man he had just conquered, calling Donaire a “great champion” and saying, “We have no animosity towards one and other. We are friends.”

    Walters was then asked how he saw a fight going between himself and a possible future opponent in Vasyl Lomachenko, the Ukranian who has used his incredible amateur record to propel himself up the professional ladder at an accelerated rate. (some would say too quickly). He made his position on the matter crystal clear. He will not shirk any challenge.

    “Listen. I’m not hiding and I’m not dodging. I’m here to fight whoever. I leave the matchmaking to the matchmakers and I leave the promotion to the promoters, but what I do, do though, I’m in the gym, and you will always find me in the gym because that’s what I do.”

    Walters continued, having been asked whether he believes Lomachenko is the real deal or not given his short pro career (his record stands at 2-1 after overreaching for a world title against Orlando Salido in just his second outing).

    “You need to put him on more shows if you want to find out if he’s a good fighter. When I came out people wondered if I was the real deal. Am I the real deal just now? You have to fight to prove yourself.”