MICHAEL "THE MIDNIGHT STALKER" WALKER
Record: 19-2-2, 12 KOs
Weight Class: Middleweight prospect
Born: Chicago, Illinois
 Resides: Chicago, Illinois
Date of Birth: August 11th, 1978
Height: 5’7”
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Carlos Jones
Manager: Octavius James

Since his pro debut with ONE IN A MILLION INC. in 2004, Michael "The Midnight Stalker" Walker has been telling everyone he is the future of the pro boxing world's talent-filled middleweight division. Walker meant it when he said it and has been proving it since.

Walker is currently the 14th ranked middleweight in the United States and it can all be attributed to his old-school style of taking on and punching through any and all comers put before him has earned him the respect of all fighters and promoters around the world. 

It's a style, says Walker (19-1-2, 12 KOs), that made some of the world's greatest champions, including most of his idols.

"The best fighters ever in the middleweight division, guys like "Sugar" Ray Robinson, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran, had to fight for everything they got and they climbed through the ropes no matter who was in the other corner," Walker said during a break in his training recently. 
 
"You just don't see that enough anymore, even among the division's top guys today, but I'm changing all that."

Walker gladly names some of his division's biggest names as his targets, including Ronald Hearns, John Duddy and 2004 Olympian Andre Ward. "Those guys get a lot of attention, for now, but I'd love the chance to get into the ring and take each of them apart with my fight game," Walker said.

He has already had some epic bouts against the top esculent fighters in his weight class including the likes of Anthony Shuler, Dante Craig, David Lopez and two instant classic fights with Antwun Echols.

Echols has staked claim to the USBA and NABF middleweight titles, along with the NABA and NABF super middleweight titles. Echols also pushed Bernard Hopkins to the limit for the IBF middleweight title, before Hopkins won by 10th round TKO.

Walker and Echols went 10-rounds in their first fight, but were left with nothing but a draw on their February 29th, 2008 matchup. In the rematch on October 3rd that same year, Walker would make sure to make this a more lopsided fight.

Walker battled Echols, earning himself his biggest win to date with an eight-round majority decision.

He has also defeated former 2000 USA Olympian Dante Craig by 2nd round TKO, when the two prospects faced off at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

Walker said his style is a throwback to some of the greatest fighters of all time.  True to his "stalker" nickname, Walker ruthlessly "walks down" his opponents while delivering a punishing body attack.  He is also developing an airtight defense, building an impressive arsenal of weapons on his path to stardom.

"Walker's style and success have landed him on several highly anticipated, internationally televised bouts, and promoters nationwide are seeking him for their shows," said Octavius James Walker's manager and CEO of ONE IN A MILLION INC., the Midwest's premiere pro boxing team.

On nationally televised Telefutura’s "Solo Boxeo," Walker squared off against Jimmy Gonzalez and displayed all his skills for the world to see by defeating Gonzalez and was left with his first draw of his career.

"It is very true that watching Mike fight is a reminder of some of the great fighters that we grew up watching." James said. 

"Another key to that world championship path is careful planning of that road," Walker said.
 
"There's no doubt I'm excited and eager to challenge the best in this division, but I'm also working closely with my Chief trainer Carlos Jones and my management team to learn as much as possible on my way to the top," Walker said.  "My team and I know I'm on my way to boxing glory, and the rest of the world will continue to realize that, too."

 

Career in review
April 9th, 2004--  Walker made his debut against Jason Marcum with a TKO in the 2nd round (2:25) at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.

June 4th, 2004--  Walker won by TKO over Nathan Wilkes in the 2nd round (2:50) at the DePaul Athletic Center in Chicago, Illinois.

July 9th, 2004--  Walker made quick work of Mike McGuire in McGuire’s debut by defeating him with a TKO in the 1st round (1:47) at the Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville, Indiana.

September 17th, 2004--  In the 3rd round (1:34), Walker disposed of Nathan Martin with a TKO at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.

October 15th, 2004--  For the first time in his career, Walker was forced to go the distance as he won a six-round unanimous decision over David Estrada at the Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, Illinois. The scorecards read 59-55, 58-56 and 58-56.

January 21st, 2005--  Walker won his second straight six-round unanimous decision, but this time it was over Aundalen Sloan at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana. The scorecards read 60-54, 59-55 and 60-54.

May 20th, 2005--  Walker won by TKO over John Vaughan in 5th round (1:35) at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.

July 15th, 2005--  At the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois, Walker worked hard for a six-round draw against Jimmy Gonzalez with the scorecards reading 58-56, 57-57 and 56-58.

September 30th, 2005--  Walker won by TKO over Anthony Shuler in the 4th round at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.

February 24th, 2006--  At the Hammond Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana, Walker won by 1st round TKO (1:21) over Paul Foret.

March 25th, 2006--  At the Grand Victoria Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana, Walker won by TKO over Kendall Gould in the 7th round (2:24).

May 26th 2006--  At the Resorts Casino in East Chicago, Indiana, Walker worked for an eight-round unanimous decision over Moises Martinez. The scorecards read 80-72, 79-73 and 80-72.

September 1st, 2006--  At the Park in Whiting, Indiana, Walker won a six-round unanimous decision over Chad Taylor with all the scorecards reading 60-54.

September 23rd, 2006--  At the Hammond Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana, Walker won an eight-round unanimous decision over Joshua Smith with the scorecards reading 79-73, 79-73 and 80-72.

October 20th, 2006--  At the Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois, Walker battled Alberto Mercedes for an eight-round decision with the scorecards reading 80-72, 79-73 and 80-72.

April 7th, 2007--  Walker knocked out Dave Saunders in the 4th round (2:37) at the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria, Illinois.

August 4th, 2007--  Walker won by TKO over Dante Craig in the 2nd round (2:23) at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

September 21st, 2007--  At the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana, Walker dropped William Johnson by 3rd round TKO (0:38).

February 1st, 2008--  Walker knocked out Jerome Elder in the 1st round (3:00) at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.

February 29th, 2008--  With less than a month’s rest, Walker jumped into the ring against one of his toughest opponents Antwun Echols at the Paragon Casino and Resort in Marksville, Louisiana. Walker would pick up his second draw of his career as the scorecards read 92-98, 95-95 and 95-95.

June 13th, 2008--  Walker lost his first fight of his career by unanimous decision to David Lopez at Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas. All the scorecards read 92-98.

October 3rd, 2008--  Walker made good on his rematch with Antwun Echols, as he won a eight-round majority decision over Echols at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana. The scorecards read 76-76, 77-75 and 78-74.

 

Background
Born, raised, and still a Chicagoan, Michael Walker got into boxing as a means to escape the streets of Chicago's tough South Side and sees his success as an example that others can apply to their own lives.

"When I do well I hope that people who are in the same neighborhood as I was will see that there are ways to success," Walker said. "Sometimes it takes real hard work to achieve success but it's worth it. Boxing has been a big help to me and going to the gym (McGarry's) is something that keeps me focused."

Walker's work in the gym paid off in 2000 when he won the 165 Open Division of the Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament. The title was his when he defeated Ligardo Chavez on April 11 of that year.

"Winning the Golden Gloves was a big step for me," Walker said. "It showed that I could compete against top fighters. When I turned pro I already knew that I could fight and win against top competition."

"Michael is taking full advantage of his chance," said Octavius James, CEO of One In A Million Boxing, the guiding force behind Walker's career.

"Here's a young man who came off the streets of Chicago prepared to work hard and make something of himself. He's now in a position to become a force in the middleweight division. He believes in himself and he's got good trainers. This is his time to make name for himself."

"I'm so glad to have One In A Million on my side," Walker said. "I'm free to work on improving my skills because I know they'll take good care of my career," Walker continued. "I feel like taking the hard road has made me a better man.”

"I appreciate the things I learned growing up and now I appreciate the good things I have even more. I work hard every time I walk into the gym. I've had good teachers and now I'm ready to use the lessons I've learned to become a better fighter. I feel like I'm still a work in progress but I also know that I have to take advantage of the opportunities when they come up. I’ll be ready for my next fight because it's the biggest one of my life."