The fight is being promoted by former professional Shane “The Mountain Warrior” Cameron, Tiniroto’s most famous son. Walker-Brock will go in with a record of 12 wins, one draw and one loss to Morgan’s 16 wins and one defeat.
“We fought once as amateurs and he won,” said former Gisborne Boys’ High student Walker-Brock. “That three-round fight won’t have any bearing on this fight. This is a big fight for both of us. It’s the chance to attract more bigger money fights overseas, and have bigger pulling power. You can’t wave the flag overseas unless you’re the best in your own country and that’s what I want to be.
“Even though I lost my last fight in Aussie (by unanimous decision to Australian Dwight Ritchie for the International Boxing Federation youth super welterweight title in Melbourne in December), I put my name out there.
“When I talk about bigger money fights, obviously I’m not talking Floyd Mayweather money; more like getting a month’s wages in advance.”
Walker-Brock’s main income comes from his day job as a personal trainer at the Boxing Central fitness centre in Auckland.
“I love my job. It helps me prepare for a fight. I train twice, sometimes three times a day for six days, then on my rest day I have a light workout.
“I’m not ready for a 10-round bout right now but I’m sparring six rounds and will increase that between now and June 22. Even though I don’t think the fight will go the distance, you have to prepare for it to go 10 rounds.”
Morgan’s last fight was a knockout win over Andres Rodriguez in Christchurch on May 4.
Morgan and Walker-Brock were scheduled to fight earlier this year but it was postponed after Walker-Brock suffered a hand injury.
“The hand is all good now. There’ll be no excuses no matter what happens on June 22.
“A win gives me chances to fight overseas. A loss and I’ll be calling for a rematch, but I’m not planning on losing. I respect him, he’s a genuine dude, but it’ll be all on once the bell rings.
“I’m not a trash talker outside the ring. I don’t want things said before the fight going viral but I don’t mind a bit of talk inside the ring. It’s all part of the game. It’s give and take.”
Walker first started boxing as a 10-year-old in a boxing gym near his house in Hicks Bay.
He moved to Auckland in 2010 to train under Henry Schuster — a former cornerman of Cameron.
“He’s like a wise old owl, who keeps giving me good advice,” said Walker-Brock, who has two children with wife Kacey.
“Te Mateururoa is three and Aniwaniwa is one. I’m lucky that Kacey is so supportive of me. As well as being a mum, she also works and comes to watch all my fights, except the one in Australia.
Walker-Brock, who won the NZPBA belt by TKO over Ray Musson in April last year, said losing to Ritchie taught him a lot.
“It’s helped me prepare mentally for this fight. People outside the sport think it’s all about the physical side but a lot of it is mentally preparing for the fight once it’s been signed off. There are a lot of distractions — work, family and potential injury.
“It’s all about keeping things in perspective and focusing on what needs to be done.”
Walker-Brock and Morgan have had common opponents, the most recent being former middleweight and super middleweight national champion Gunnar Jackson. Morgan has twice beaten Jackson by unanimous decision while Walker-Brock had a draw in their only meeting.
The Jackson results mean nothing, Walker-Brock insists.
“I knocked a guy out in the first round that he (Morgan) went the distance with.”
The June 22 bout will be televised live.
