Classy Baker shows no ‘Mersey’ this time

After a rusty defeat at Beau Sejour before Christmas, the former England Junior ABA champion looked a whole lot more impressive in earning a unanimous decision over Liverpool’s Joseph Moylan at St Pierre Park on Friday night.

Baker’s victory, far from straightforward against a pugnacious opponent who pestered him throughout three tight rounds, earned the Guernsey team a 3-3 draw with the Merseysiders on a Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club night bill that was ripped to pieces by three late withdrawals.

While welterweight TJ Kimber, bantamweight Charlie Watson and heavyweight Marcus Magloire were left twiddling their thumbs, it was left to the likes of Baker, flyweight Tom Teers and middleweight Luke Robert for the GDBC members to get behind.

There was no more exciting bout than the one which saw Gabriel McHugh win a split decision over Robert.

The two middleweights left nothing in the dressing room as they felt an urge to ignore any safety first thoughts, but simply weigh into their opponent.

McHugh took the opening round comfortably but Robert tightened his defences in the second as the two went toe to toe.

By the third Robert’s greater fitness was coming to the fore, but he had left himself a touch too much to do.

A consolation was a share of the bout of the night prize.

Tom Teers, the highly promising flyweight, added another victory to his CV, but had the verdict gone to Jamie Killen few would have been surprised. It was tight.

Welterweight Russ Gogercaks showed some promise in a unanimous decision defeat to Jake Moss and junior Rio Gaudion lost similarly to Daniel Minahan.

Junior Arnie Watson impressed in his clear win over Adam Cottle.