John Walters (boxer)
John P. Walters is a British Light-welterweight boxer from the Taunton of England. He is the current IBF Light-welter-weight title holder after defeating Amir Khan
Career
John Walters made his professional debut at the age of 19 at an event held in Cardiff, Wales. Walters defeated Jong Sub Baik on points. In there second encounter, four weeks later, Walters again defeated Baik on points, this time in Hong Kong.
Following Walters' third win (vs. Tarick Salmaci), he succumbed to a third round defeat by veteran fighter Kostya Tszyu. Walters got little offense in and looked weak in comparison.
In June 2002, Walters won his first match following the beating vs. Kostya Tszyu and a time-limit draw vs. Dimitar Stilianov, by knocking out Marios Kaperonis in the 6th round. Following this match, Walters spoke of his craving to get back into the ring with the man who he suffered a broken jaw, a broken nose and a broken win record - Kostya Tszyu. He spoke of his personal pain of losing and commented 'If the old man wants to get back in the ring, I'm ready to beat him this time'. Two months later, following what Walters called 'vigorous training', he defeated Carlos Manuel Baldomir on points after lasting the entire seven rounds and winning on points.
In late August 2002, Walters reportedly approached popular figure Micky Ward for a match for October 18th. Though Ward declined, Walters would repeatedly taunt Ward until he caved in and participated. The match, as expected, was a white-wash on Walters' part. Ward was clearly not in shape and Walters had taken full advantage of it by winning after three rounds.
Walters won two bouts following, by beating Serik Yeleuov and Bruce Rumbolz on points. Both were extremely narrow affairs. Walters couldn't, however, convert his luck into a victory against Arturo Gatti, settling for a time-limit draw after seven rounds.
John Walters then took four months off from boxing to recover from his quick succession of bouts spanning 2002-2003. Walters trained hard throughout, and upon his return was a much more leaner and fit boxer. He gained 10 lbs, weighing in at 135 lbs for his next fight,
A year and a half after publicly challenging Kostya Tszyu to a bout, which was declined, Tszyu finally agreed to it. On a night headlined by the likes of Danny Williams and Joe Calzaghe, Walters was AbOUT to finish his own personal war. Walters started off the match at a quick tempo landing a flurry of jabs to both stomach and face, trying to end it early. This proved tough, as the experienced Tszyu would out-power his opponent on numerous times, knocking him down 3 times in just 1 round. By the 4th round, Walters was looking the worse of the two, with lacerations above both eyes and split lips, it looked just a matter of 'knock him down' for Tszyu. Walters however would be relentless throughout the round, not giving Tszyu any space and at the bell would fall to the mat in exhaustion. He soon recovered, and eventually took the fight to the seventh round before finally knocking Tszyu to the mat for good. After the match, Walters would show sportsmanship by shaking the hand of his nemesis, telling him 'it's just business'. Following the bout, Walters yet again took time off, this time for five months in order to pursue his goal of challenging for a title.
Walters' first match back, was vs. experienced light-weight Jose Luis Castillo. Walters made immediate impact upon his return, with non-stop blows to the body of Castillo in the opening seconds of the first round. The match ended in a 6th round knock-out.
To further Walters' quest for the IBF Light-weight title, Walters' would face off with Stevie Johnston, a former champion, though in Johnston's last match, he was dominated and K.O'd. This proved to be much different as Johnston would get most of the offense in the early going, delivering swift uppercuts and punches to the face, leaving Walters vulnerable to body shots. Walters however fought hard, earning victory in the 4th round in a match that was closer than many expected. This victory would push Walters further up the ladder to get a chance at The Title.
Walters then defeated Ghana's Russell 'Stoner' Jones and Mexico's Ernesto Zepeda before he finally was recognised as a contender for the Light-weight strap (held by Julio Diaz). Two months later, Britain's two most promising Boxers in Amir Khan and John Walters would square off. Walters would have 1 month to prepare. Khan mentioned in an interview that Walters couldn't been anyone under the age of 30, which provoked a flurry of insults that would ignite the spark needed for an EXCITING match.
Although Walters was 14-1 to win against the un-defeated Khan, the first three rounds were incredibly even. Walters would try to fend off Khan and preserve his energy for the most of the following two rounds, before unleashing a round of punches to the abdomen of Khan. This allowed Walters to get the advantage heading into round 7. Khan was the better of the two for the round, flooring Walters twice before pushing him almost through the ropes. With just one round left to survive, Walters would try to avoid all contact - or at least thats what Khan believed. He lured Khan into the corner before decking him. Khan slowly got to his feet and dodged another jab, leveling Walters with a left hook of his own sending him into the corner. Khan then laid into Walters in the corners for the last 16 seconds of the match, before being awarded the victory on points. Walters was carried off in a stretcher before being admitted to a near-by hospital. Walters was released prematurely after just two days. Walters then mentioned in an interview that his business with Khan is far from over.
2 months after his bout with Amir Khan, Walters revealed that while he was sitting at home recovering, he had seriously contemplated retirement. He then went on to say that he would like to fight Khan again soon. Walters returned to boxing later that month and defeated Japenese lightweight, Shensuke Shamura after 3 rounds via knock-out. Walters was the involved in A Tour of China in May 2006, where he defeated both Wang Chin and Layama Xheng both in under 4 rounds and both via KO. Also on the tour was Amir Khan who had been crowned world light-welterweight champion in the main-event. On June 1st, it was announced that World Light-welteweight champion Amir Khan, would defend his title against John Walters at Wembley arena on July 29th.
Walters entered the ring accompinied by a new management team headed by Derek Carmentine, sporting plain black shorts and almost Emotionless to the heckling crowd. Khan however played to the london crowd and entered as the clear fan favourite. Neither looked phased by the spectacle. Walters started out promisingly, landing swift jabs to the face, re-opening a wound caused earlier in the month. At the first round interval Khan was patched up well and looked in top condition. By the 4th round Walters in-abablity to fend of punishment came into play as Khan was relentless with a flurry of punches to the chest, ending with an upercut which knocked Walters to the ground. Walters had appeared to be missing a tooth. Walters would soldier on. In the 6th round Walters had regained momentum. This, however, was stopped in a hurry when Walters appeared to have injured his right hand. It appeared that Walters and Carmentine had a dis-agreement on what should happen about the injury. Walters wanted to stop the fight and re-schedule, whereas Carmentine wanted Walters to soldier on. Walters eventually did continue, losing via K.O in the 7th round. After the match, Walters have his wrist scanned, revealing nothing significant, only a little sprain. IN adition to this, Walters was found to have a calcium deficiency, and was immediately ordered to take calcium boost pills and injections. Whilst training for a match vs. former champion Julio Diaz, Walters injured his arm and was forced to pull out. The match was then moved to September 12th.
Walters defeated Julio Diaz on the reshedualed date of September 12th, when the match was stopped by referee Jason Thompson. Diaz's corner rivaled Thompsons call and hinted at a rematch. Walters dedicated the match to the memory of James Oyebola.
Only 1 month later the re-match took place, where Walters defeated him, this time via knock-out in the 8th round. Walters was now officially the number 1 contender for Amir Khans belt.
Title win
December 24th was the date. Wembley was the arena. In a night of fame, glamour and boxing, Walters successfully defeated Amir Khan for the title, by means of a points victory. Many people believed Khan had done what it took for the win, but the judges ruling was not overturned. Walters is scheduled for a rematch sometime in December.