Baker: ‘I’m ready to take Gurung’s title’

Baker…February 7 showdown for Midlands belt. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

THERE’S an absolute gem – glistening and within reach – on Scott Murray’s bumper new year show at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre.

On February 7, fiery, exciting Minaaz Gurung – this country’s only Nepalese born pro – will put his Midlands light-welterweight title on the line against Tipton’s Conor Baker in a mouth-watering, evenly balanced title clash that oozes quality.

Nuneaton’s Gurung, unbeaten in seven, is the swarming hooker who took the title at the same venue in September with a spectacular sixth round stoppage of Joe Underwood Hughes.

Baker is the gifted boxer with an immaculate jab. He, too, is unbeaten in seven, but yet to register an inside distance win.

Excuse the lame pun, but 28-year-old Baker, who digs ditches for Severn Trent during the day, appears to have textbook talent on tap.

And in interview, the confidence pours from Conor when he talks of the impending big fight.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” he said, “I want the title, we’ll do what’s needed and go for it.”

Baker insists the scheduled 10 rounder has been wrongly labelled a classic boxer-fighter confrontation: when he needs to fight in the trenches, he can fight in the trenches.

“People have not seen the side of me when I can fight on the inside,” he said. “They’ve seen me box, but if I have to come and fight I’m happy to do that. I’m getting better with every fight and when someone’s coming to fight that’s going to bring the best out of me. People don’t realise it’s taken me a bit of time to settle (into the pro ranks).

Baker, a product of Wednesbury amateur club, turned professional under BCB’s banner after a 33 bout unpaid career: “I won half of them, I didn’t take it as seriously as I should’ve done. I learned from that.”

He’s yet to go beyond six rounds, but relishes the prospect of a championship marathon. “I’m super-fit,” he said, “I train really hard. Fitness wise, it’s not a problem. I dig holes for a living for Severn Trent. I have one day off (from training) on a Saturday.”

Baker’s impressive physique is evidence of gruelling gym sessions. He’s a body-beautiful type.

There is, however, a boxing brain to go with those bulging muscles. The combination, he believes, will be too much for Gurung.

“I’ve seen better jabs in the amateurs,” Baker said of his opponent. “He doesn’t even throw a jab, I wouldn’t call it a jab. I’m ahead of him in everything – ability, ring IQ, strength, boxing…

“I have a small team, from Tipton and the Black Country, who have been there from the beginning and always come and support me.”

Come February 17, they’ll be cheering a new champ, Conor believes.

The water company worker predicts he’s about to make a splash as a fighter.