by James Slater: Less than two months after his revenge win over T.J Wilson, 28 year old heavyweight prospect Travis Walker steps through the ropes again next Saturday, April 26th. Walker was the victim of a controversially quick stoppage against Wilson back in October of last year, when referee Raul Caiz jumped in after just 15 seconds of the very first round to stop the fight as Wilson had Walker on the ropes.. “Freight Train” was furious and there was much booing to be heard. It did indeed seem a premature stoppage. Now, his sole career loss avenged via 2nd round KO, Walker gets back in the ring next weekend.
Proving he is as good as his word when it comes to keeping active, the 27-1-1(21) Walker, from Houston, Texas will be having his 7th fight of the last twelve months. Going up against the 13-18-1(7) Earl Ladsen of North Carolina, Walker is taking no step up in class, but activity is at least one of his immediate priorities – with an improvement in quality of opposition hopefully to come soon.
Travis certainly looks the part of a good heavyweight contender. Standing an impressive 6’4″ and weighing in at a solid 240 pounds, the 28 year old is a fine physical specimen. His punch power, too, is formidable. With decent wins over the likes of former amateur standout Jason Estrada to his name (who has just beaten the useful Lance Whitaker) Walker has proven he can fight. He should have no problems next week from the 34 year old Ladsen ,that’s for sure. Another heavyweight up-and-comer in Devin Vargas boxed Ladsen recently, however, and was taken the full distance, so maybe Walker will get some decent rounds in. Then he can look towards moving up.
A fight with any of the current unbeaten heavyweight wannabes in Vargas, Kevin Johnson (who faces Terry Smith this Friday) Chazz Witherspoon, J.D Chapman or the like would be a good test for either fighter. With the heavyweight division looking for its next new U.S star, the time is right for the prospects to get it on with one another. Let’s hope this is indeed the case. It is time for the likes of Johnson and Witherspoon, in particular to make a move. Eliminate a fellow prospect, and you move one step up the ladder yourself. Simple, right? The fights are there to be made, let the fighters make them.
In the meantime, look for the fighter known as “Freight Train” to keep himself well in the picture with a mid-rounds stoppage of Earl Ladsen next Saturday.