Johnny Walker has lifted the lid on his feuds with Thomas Carty.
The Brazilian MMA name and the exciting Dublin boxing prospect have become close since they began training together in recent years.
Conversations suggest that friendship is put aside when the pair share the ring, although the Dublin-based South American reveals that is not the case.
The pair trade leather and push each other to the limit when in the training ring, but Walker, who moved to Ireland for love, says it’s not a case of sticks without a grip.
While competitive and aggressive, there is a line that respect and friendship do not allow them to cross.
As a result, it’s the kind of sparring he tests and teaches and the kind of rounds that helped the colorful character prepare for his UFC headline fight with Magomed Ankalaev in Las Vegas this weekend.
“He’s a really good fighter. He is very technical. He plays a huge role in my fight,” Walker told Irish-boxing.com.
“I also train with Karl Moore and a few others, but with Thomas it is difficult to train with a heavy guy. We beat each other up, but in a good way. We don’t go out of our way to hurt each other, it’s just a good tough fight.
“If he rocks me he’s not going to finish me off, he’ll take it easy and let me come back, the same for me. We put a lot of pressure on each other. It’s good to have a partner to train with like that,” he adds before hinting that it won’t be long until Celtic BUI champion Carty is topping the bill in his chosen combat sport.
“He’s a really good fighter, a quality boxer, a heavyweight guy. He also has a lot of experience, he has trained with Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and all the world champions. “Thomas is a really good fighter and he will be big news very soon.”
Johnny Walker will face Magomed Ankalaev on January 13 live on UFC Fight Pass and TNT Sports at UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2.
