Flynn continues war of words with Baker

Flynn and Baker. Picture: Matchroom/Mark Robinson

YOU have to admire the warrior spirit within Kane Baker.

There are more technically skilled junior-lightweights, there are certainly bigger hitters, but the Birmingham 33-year-old makes up for the shortfalls through heart – and an all-consuming passion for boxing.

His reward has been slots on major televised shows, a Midlands title and bouts in Italy, Gibraltar and Jeddah.

The dust has now settled on his latest adventure – an English title eliminator against old foe Jordan Flynn: Kane lost controversially over eight rounds in April.

The pair did it again over 10 rounds at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Saturday – and this time the bout ended in stalemate, 94-94 on referee Chris Dean’s card.

Like the first, it was a cracking clash. Baker was dropped in the second, Flynn deducted a point in the 10th that we now know was crucial.

The pre-fight antics were just as entertaining, with Flynn, now unbeaten in 10, in the role of pugilistic pantomime villain. He taunted Baker and refused to shake his hand.

At the weigh-in, Flynn, who had accused Kane of being dead at the weight, presented his opponent with a KFC meal.

The general consensus is Flynn did enough to win, but if Baker – a man who has taken fights on the road and at short notice – got a slice of luck in his 31 fight career, he deserved it.

And he, too, won’t be satisfied with a draw. He burned to put Flynn in his place.

Promoter Eddie Hearn told iFL TV: “I thought Kane Baker was so lucky to get the draw. It was a great fight, but I thought Jordan Flynn won by three or four rounds.”

Flynn certainly cried robbery.

In an interview with home paper, the Oxford Mail, he said: “I won the fight so comfortably, everyone in boxing and beyond said that I won.

“I beat him so much more than the last fight and I was 10 times better than last time.

“You get this in sport, though, and there’s nothing you can do. At least I’m still undefeated.

“These things happen. I can try and appeal but I’m not going to set my heart on it.

“You can’t really do anything to change it, but I know in my head that I performed well and that in the long run, it’ll do me good.”

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