Baker notches up his third win on the spin

Baker forces the action. Picture: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

TIPTON’S Conor Baker looks a very useful addition to the pro ranks, although L Plates are still being worn by the Black Country hope.

He’s aggressive, fast and accurate, but it’s much too early to assess what the 27-year-old can achieve. To date, Baker has dined on journeymen: we’ll know more when he faces opposition with real ambition.

On BCB’s Friday night “Collision Course” show, Baker, who took a five year break from the sport, made it three pro wins in a row. But he dropped a round to vastly experienced Naheem Ali, a 28-year-old taking part in his 126th contest.

Referee Ryan Churchill scored the four rounder 39-37.

The session lost would’ve been the last when Blackburn’s Ali attempted to turn up the heat, pushed Baker back and threw swinging shots.

All in all, it was a comfortable night for Baker against a much heavier man. “I boxed well, but got a bit lazy in the last,” he told me. “I switched off a bit.

“It’s a case of keep going (with my career), keep going. I think I could do six rounds now.”

Baker (10st 2oz) drove forward behind a hard jab in the first and targeted Ali’s flanks with hooks from both hands.

With nothing coming back, he injected more spite into his work in the second and drilled Ali (10st 7lbs 4oz) with a left hook.

The one way traffic continued in the third and one big right hand forced Ali to cover up seconds before the bell.

A lead uppercut knocked the visitor’s head back in the last session – and that seemed to spark him into life.

He finally punched back, took the initiative, and connected with a slapping left hook in the dying seconds.

It’s a shame that spirit wasn’t shown earlier in the contest.