WOLVERHAMPTON — Conah Walker will face Alexis Rocha on December 5 in an official eliminator for the WBA welterweight title in Wolverhampton, England, Matchroom Boxing announced Friday. The hometown headliner will determine the next mandatory challenger for current WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Walker, 18-3-1 (9 KOs), returns to Wolverhampton after a 10th-round stoppage of Sam Eggington in May. He had been linked to a U.S. debut against a former WBO welterweight titleholder before the homecoming was confirmed. "I'm back headlining in Wolverhampton in front of my people," Walker said in a press release issued by Matchroom Boxing. "They aren’t fans, they are friends and family and I’ll give them another night to remember."
"From the first bell you know what I bring and this fight won’t be any different. I want to do a right job on Rocha," Walker said. "I'm enjoying every minute of my career and a big win on December 5 puts me one step closer to winning a world title. Let's have it." Rocha, 27-2-1 (16 KOs), travels to the UK on strong form after defeating former unified 140-pound world champion Jose Carlos Ramirez last month following a victory over former 130-pound titleholder JoJo Diaz in March.
"I don’t know too much about Conah Walker yet, but I’ve watched some videos of him, and he looks like a strong fighter who likes to come forward," Rocha said. "I’m looking forward to getting in the ring with him and putting on a great show."
"This is another important step in chasing my dream. I know that a win on December 5 will bring me one step closer to earning a world title opportunity and that’s why I’m working hard every day," Rocha said. The winner of the December 5 eliminator will move into position for a shot at Lopez's WBA welterweight title.