Baker finds it hard to swat ‘Wasp’ Vincent

Conor Baker…now unbeaten in five after Hangar win

CONOR Baker struggled with the herky-jerky mobile style of Stefan Vincent, but did enough to extend his unbeaten run to five at Wolverhampton’s Hangar on Friday night.

I felt the 39-37 score after four rounds was a little harsh on Dorset’s Vincent, who lived up to his “Wasp” nickname by buzzing continually around the ring and flicking out jabs.

But Tipton’s Baker, a light-welter with an impressive physique, got the job done. I’ve watched the 27-year-old box on a number of occasions and this was possibly his least impressive performance.

Against an awkward customer such as Vincent, who lost for the 24th time in 26 fights, you have to throw punches in bunches and apply relentless pressure. Baker (10st 3lbs) simply didn’t throw enough leather.

“I didn’t work enough,” Baker, who boxes out of West Bromwich’s Anchor Gym, admitted. “I should’ve closed him down and I thought I lost the last round. I struggled to get into my rhythm and flow, I should’ve let my shots go a bit more.

“It’s been a busy year and it was a bit down to that, as well.”

Vincent (10st 5lbs) proved a thorough nuisance. With left hand low, he continually circled the ring throwing jabs.

Baker needed to pin him down and let combinations fly. He at last put his punches together with purpose in the third, only for Vincent to throw caution to the wind in the last. He landed two right hands on the local lad in a spirited final three minutes.