THE statistic released by BCB Promotions – the driving force behind Kane Baker’s Cinderella story – is quite remarkable.
On Saturday, on Matchroom’s major show at the Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield, immensely likeable Kane will face the 10th unbeaten opponent of a 32 fight career. A remarkable career.
He will be the underdog, a status the Birmingham 34-year-old is familiar with. It has become something of a badge of honour for Baker.
In the opposite corner will be Guildford super-feather Giorgio Visioli, a 22-year-old who has won all six outings to date, five by stoppage.
If Kane is true to his word, fight Number 33 should be his last. He intended to hang up his gloves last June after competing at the Genting Arena. But at the last moment, Matchroom boss Eddie pulled the plug on his bout with Aqib Fiaz because of “betting irregularities”.
Anyone who knows Baker, knows he wouldn’t throw a fight. Following an investigation, both he and Fiaz were cleared to fight on, their reputations free from any stain.
It is fitting Baker, who has basked under the bright lights of star-studded televised bills, bows out on the big stage.
And he can look back with pride on a journey that has exceeded all expectations.
No one who witnessed Kane – a man without real amateur pedigree – make his debut in 2016 would have predicted what would follow.
He captured a Midlands title at lightweight, came within a whisker of claiming the English crown and fought in Jeddah, Gibraltar and Italy.
By my calculations, he has boxed on eight televised arena title shows in this country.
He has done all that on heart and determination – no wonder Hearn is an admirer of the old school gladiator.
Kane’s social media posts sum up his fighting mindset. In one clip, Hearn asks: “You sure you want it (this fight)?”
“Do dogs bark?” Baker replies.
The caption under a weigh-in shot states simply: “Work on the roofs or fight a bad man…”
Baker has fought his share of bad men, the list including Conor Benn.
In a tribute, BCB posted: “This stark statistic (10 unbeaten boxers faced) underscores the level of ambition and fearlessness that Baker brings to every fight. He consistently seeks out tough tests and this weekend is no exception as he aims to put yet another highly touted prospect through his paces.
“A frequent face on televised cards the popular Brummie trains at the BCB Gym in Wednesbury and has put in another tough camp, while also working full time and being a now familiar face in the corner of boxers on our shows.”
Quite simply, the man is a true Birmingham warrior.
