Cameron Walker had a successful night on the road boxing for Norton Radstock ABC in Gloucester last weekend.

Boxing against a home town boy and in a raucous atmosphere, Cameron was up against it and knew he had to work hard against a determined skilful opponent in Finley Booth.

Both boys started well, with each trying to gain the upper hand with their jabs, footwork and combinations. In an even first round, Cameron worked to the body of his slightly taller foe, landing some crunching left-hooks to the ribcage. Despite losing the round, Cameron still had plenty of gas left in the tank.

With the pressure of losing the first round, Cameron went hard at his opponent in the second, working his jab, catching a lot of Booth’s punches on his gloves and returning fire of his own once Booth missed with his shots.

With all rounds even going into the last, Cameron continued with his sustained pressure and clever defence, and was under orders to up the work rate, knowing that everything rested on the last round. As the bout came to an end, the two embraced with the result still uncertain within both corners, as the MC took to the microphone.

“And by a close split-decision – Walker in the blue corner!” was announced, and the quiet cheers from Walker, his coach and his small family gathering began. An elated Walker said afterwards: “My opponent was as strong as me, and I had to work hard in the last round, but I listened to what my coach told me and thankfully the judges gave it to me, possibly because of my fitness and work rate.”

Cameron’s Coach, Sean Jenkins, was very complimentary of his performance: “Cameron was up against it tonight. It was a small, intimidating venue, with the crowd noisily supporting their home town club, which you’d expect. But Cameron being Cameron didn’t let it phase him, and he went out there and did what he does best.

“He had to work really hard for it; his opponent was a tough kid, but I am super proud of him for digging deep and getting the result in his favour. Cameron is only going to get better as he matures and gains more and more boxing knowledge and experience.”