The famous boxing world champion once talked about his relationship with the sport of rugby.

I was in school and it wasn’t very good.

“I took the ball from kick-off and was buried by about eight opponents”, he recalled.

“That’s when I decided it wasn’t the sport for me.”

Eli Walker plays rugby, then tries his hand at boxing, most recently winning the Box Cup Western Division heavyweight title.

Most people would not mindlessly play this sport. But he has an advantage over some of the others who wear gloves because he likes to train and therefore gets a good workout in from his rugby days.

And yet, as soon as the bell rings, you are on your own, looking at your opponent, whose objective at that moment is to hit you hard and often. Is this not irritating?

“I like challenges,” he says. “Boxing tests your physical condition, your mental strength and your resilience.

“It’s extremely difficult, but I like to try different things and learn, be it academically, athletically or whatever.

“My father, Daniel Walker, was a professional boxer. When I was a kid I wanted to do boxing, but rugby and other sports took over. When I had to leave rugby early due to a back injury, boxing was the only sport I could train and practice properly.

“I have a relationship with Enzo Maccaranielli at the gym and he called me about five weeks ago to tell me there was a new competition, the Box Cup in the West Wales division, and I wanted to know if he could do it. Anyway, I was training for a triathlon so I was fit and ready. So it was just a matter of Enzo getting me ready for boxing. I didn’t know what to expect as I hadn’t known for a few years. I ended up winning the competition at my weight and I felt good.

“I compete as an amateur. I want to do as many fights as possible, but I’m taking it one fight at a time. Enzo has his hopes pinned on me, but let’s see how it goes.

“The most important thing for me is to do what I like. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I did that in rugby, I had big aspirations. Rugby players, especially in Wales, put a lot of pressure on each other and I was no different. I don’t want to fall into that trap again. I want to box, enjoy it and see where it takes me.”



Former Wales rugby player Eli Walker (right) with his boxing coach, former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli

Needless to say, Maccarinelli, the former heavyweight champion of the world, is an asset. The man who fought as a Bonymaen bomber and who fought about 50 fights as a professional forgot the noble art more than others.

“It’s great to have Enzo around me,” says Walker. “He is not just a former world champion, he is also a friend. It’s great to have someone like him to learn from, as well as Tobias Webb, who is also a former champion. So I learn things from people who are very knowledgeable and I’m very proud to represent Bonymaen.

“It’s a difficult sport because there are many areas you have to learn at the same time. As I progress, I develop my style. I’ve been fighting on Saturday and Sunday recently and you have to adapt and learn as you go. That’s why I want to stay active and do as many fights as possible and maybe face Enzo later. It’s a big learning curve.”

Walker was forced to retire from rugby union aged 25 following back surgery. During his time in the game, he scored 23 tries in 81 appearances for the Ospreys and was part of their PRO12 winning team in 2012. He has also played for Wales across all age groups and played his only senior match against Ireland in the Cup of the hot world. -up. 2015 World Cup.

Possibly his best game as a professional rugby player.

against toulouse

in the Heineken Cup at Swansea in 2012. It’s hard to remember a single player terrorizing the defense of such an opposition.

Toulouse can claim to be the birthplace of the Concorde, but in Walker the ospreys had their own plane. Aged just 20 at the time, he scored a try and had a good walk through Liberty Stadium as Wales won 17–6.

“He has the attributes to cripple any team in the world,” said then-Ospreys head coach Gruff Rees at his postgame press conference.

But fate did not play ball as one injury deepened after another. Walker is currently a fitness and training coach at Swansea Tennis Academy.

“I’m coached by my old Ospreys strength coach, Mark Bennett, who has been a huge help,” says the 30-year-old former forward. “Mark works in the tennis world, knows S&C inside and out and has been a huge help to me.

“When I finished rugby, I worked for a while in construction and also did postgraduate work at S&C. So I decided to focus on coaching.

“It’s great. I’m doing something I really enjoy and that’s very important for any job.”

Walker was never afraid to do his thing. Ten years ago, on flights from France with the ospreys, he could be seen reading while his companions played with each other. It was popular, but here was someone who wanted to make the most of every free minute.

Walker is still doing so well as a player. Text messages are returned, as are phone calls. And he has not forgotten his former Ospreys teammates at a difficult time for everyone in Welsh rugby, with talk of possible pay cuts and job losses.

“I sympathize with them. They are in a very difficult situation and I just hope that everything is resolved as soon as possible”, he said. “I try to stay in touch because they are my friends. However, when I catch up with them, rugby is probably the last thing I care about. they want to talk.

“I still keep an eye out for ospreys and take my son to see them. I will always have links to Swansea RFC and the Ospreys because I’m a local boy and I love playing grassroots rugby. I probably watch Gorseinon more than any other team as it’s my home club. Last year I jumped in to help out a little. I don’t rule out that next year I can wear my boots and play for them, because I feel really good. I still love sports.

“Playing for Gorseinon was an ambition I had when I ended my professional career. I just need to make sure I’m up for it.”

Gervin Price is training with the Dragons ahead of his return to rugby

The Wales international is expected to sign for the English giants this week and put his Test career in doubt.

Former WRU boss David Moffett urges Wales to isolate the region quickly or the whole game will fall apart

Sam Warburton calls for four Welsh regions to come under central WRU control as he outlines scheme for Welsh rugby

Wales legend urges Gatland to make two key changes ahead of Six Nations clash with Italy