Sunderland has a new professional boxer.
For a city which has gone too quiet after years of success, it is welcome news. Meet David Baker, Sunderland born and a proud resident of Seaham.
He is not telling us he is going to conquer the world, or anything like that. The former Plains Farm ABC fighter, aged 32-years-young dreams of making his kids proud of him and becoming the best possible David Baker he can be.
He will be coached and managed by Mark Clauzel (pictured right alongside his new signing) and will fight out of his trainer’s gym in Swalwell. Gateshead Hightower, Steve ‘USSR’ Robinson, recently employed by Anthony Joshua, is among his stablemates so, for a heavyweight, he could not be in a better place.
“I’ve spent the last year looking at four walls and now I just have a burning desire to get my arse in gear and get out there and give it a go,” said Baker, who must first appear in front of the British Board of Control before officially joining the paid ranks.
“I think it’s the perfect time to do it.
“The amateur scene is currently non-existent and can’t see there being much happening there for a while, so I may as well try something new and use this time to learn the pro game.
“Everyone wants to succeed in something in life and this is what I want to do. I’ve always been obsessed by boxing, I’m dedicated and ready and up for it.
“I’ve got three kids and I really want to do something that will make them proud.
“Signing for Mark was an easy decision. He is a great bloke, very professional and with a cracking gym.
“I think the pro style will suit me, I’ll be able to plant my feet and give it a go.
“I feel sharp and my legs are strong, I just want to learn the pro game and look to do the business.”
Sunderland boxing, so healthy for so long, has lost a string of top notch fighters in recent years.
Those include one-time top GB amateur Warren Baister, former Commonwealth flyweight king Thomas Essomba, ex-English and Commonwealth light-welterweight champ Glenn Foot, former English lightweight belt holder Kirk Goodings, the exciting Isaac Macleod, and ex-English title challenger Lee Mould.
Only 2016 Rio Olympian Josh Kelly, beaten recently for the first time in his paid career, is currently flying the red and white flag in the boxing ring.
A big admirer of Foot, Baker, like many a fighter, has come down the unlicensed boxing route, where he had seven bouts, losing only once, while he represented the Plains Farm club in the amateur ring, including in the 2019 England Novices Championship.
It was there he came to work under the great coach and servant of the Plains Farm gym, Michael Robinson who, tragically, died suddenly in February, aged only 39.
David plans to dedicate his professional career in Michael’s memory and given his first-class attitude and that burning desire he mentioned it should be a career worth watching.
Words: Roy Kelly
