Kane pledges to end career on high note

Kane Baker…all smiles at yesterday’s press conference

I’M not totally convinced Kane Baker will end a glorious career on the Matchroom’s major Genting Arena show tomorrow (Saturday) night.

The immensely likeable 33-year-old Brummie has publicly stated he’ll bow out after facing Aqib Fiaz, a fighter who narrowly outpointed him over eight rounds in 2020, regardless of the result.

But, traditionally, boxers call it a day after a conclusive defeat, after suffering a loss that’s hard to come back from.

It’s very, very difficult to walk away after a win, especially a win on a major, televised show – and super-feather Baker is in a winnable fight. But Kane, who will be taking part in his 33rd contest, has pledged that is what he’ll do.

He told yesterday’s press conference at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel: “I feel a good win on Saturday would be a good time to walk away.”

You have to take the man – one of boxing’s real characters – on his word.

If that really is it, then it is the end of a remarkable Rocky story.

He entered the game eight years ago with no expectations. He appeared destined to have a brief, unsuccessful small hall career.

Yet, through dedication and old fashioned bottle, Kane has pieced together a fighting fairytale.

He has won a Midlands lightweight title, come within a whisker of becoming English champ and fought in Jeddah, Gibraltar and Italy.

What’s more, Baker says he’s been on 12 big Matchroom shows. I make it nine, but he should know. Either way, not many boxers can boast that many televised appearances.

That’s very good money.

The business relationship with promoter Eddie Hearn began during lockdown. Kane was scheduled to fight on a crowdless show staged in the palatial grounds of Eddie’s Essex home.

The contest fell through, and viewers witnessed Baker’s tears of disappointment. Hearn pledged to make it up to the crestfallen crowd-pleaser. He has certainly been true to his word.

“I’ve been on your shows 12 times,” Baker told Hearn yesterday. “It all started with ‘Fight Camp’ – that was my dream, to fight in The Garden. Not Madison Square Garden, but Eddie’s garden.”

Baker wants to walk into the sunset with a win and the boxing public will pray no one rains on his last parade.

Kane has a chance against Oldham’s Fiaz who peeled off 12 straight wins before being stopped by Reece Bellotti. Baker has pledged to save his best until last.

He’ll do it the way he always has, by applying relentless pressure.

“There’s only one way I know,” he added. “If there’s a phone box, I’ll fight in it. I want to be as close to Fiaz as I can and smash him in the face.”

FightCity analyst Adam Harper, a former English light-middleweight champ, believes Baker will bow out with a win.

He said: “I think things have fallen in Kane Baker’s favour. I think he’ll ride into the sunset with a win, which not many do. Baker on points by two or three rounds.”