Walk(er)ing away with the belt
Gift ‘DayWalker’ Walker, who trains at House of Tinkerbell (HOT) in Springs walked away with the flyweight title at Fightstar 32.
Taking on Julio Plaatjies on June 30, Gift opened the first round with a “nicely executed combo ending off with a vicious leg kick,” according to his manager, James Read of ProLeague Fight Management.
The fight stayed on the feet for the most part, ending up on the ground with Walker almost landing an armbar at the end of the first round.
The following four rounds saw these two fighters go at it with everything they had with Walker ending all but one of the five rounds on top.
For the fifth round coach JP ‘Tinkerbell’ Kruger instructed Walker to keep it standing, which sealed the deal for the DayWalker and got him the unanimous vote from the judges.
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“The cheering in the final round gave the fighters that extra boost that renewed their energy which helped them swing for the fences right to the end.
“It was a great fight from two great athletes,” says Read.
Walker walks away with the flyweight title belt and a contract with ProLeague, who will now place Gift into their pro fighter development programme.
He is the second HOT fighter to be inducted while still an amateur.
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The first is Orlando Mashaba who will enter the pro fight arena before the end of the year.
“I’m so proud of this boy,” says Kruger.
“He is showing all of the characteristics of a true champion – hard work and dedication.
“It all showed on the evening when he came out and gave a five round war, grinding it down and taking the title.”
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