Baister must fell ‘Giant’ in Meadows clash
Warren Baister must fell ‘The Giant’ if he is to continue his 100% record as a professional.
The Sunderland cruiserweight, who has won all five of his bouts since turning pro, will face Imantas Davidaitis at the Rainton Meadows Arena this evening.
Baister, at 6ft 4in, is hardly tailor-made for a part in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but tonight he will be looking up to the Lithuanian, who stands 6ft 8½in.
While Davidaitis is not in the class of Baister, his physique and awkward rating make him a very dangerous foe for the 31-year-old.
‘The Giant’ has only won five of his 26 bouts, but four of those victories have come inside the distance, including a secondround KO of an unbeaten Sheffield prospect, David Howe, so he is no respecter of reputations or records.
Baister, therefore, can’t afford any slip-ups at the Houghton venue, especially with a vital TV appearance looming at Newcastle in four weeks when Eddie Hearn stages a JD NXTGEN show.
Baister’s Wearside neighbour, Isaac Macleod, also has Eastern European opposition on the Phil Jeffries-promoted show tonight.
Macleod, who boasts seven straight successes following his transfer from glittering amateur career to pro, faces Daniel Bazo, from the Czech Republic, also over six rounds.
Like Baister, Macleod is strongly advised to avoid any banana skins.
The 22-year-old looks set to get a title fight at the Summer Rumble at the Stadium of Light in July, assuming he negotiates Bazo this evening.
The Czech, just 19, is not shy of ambition and came close to scoring an upset against Hartlepool prospect Peter Cope on a previous visit to Rainton Meadows.
Tickets are available on the door tonight for the 10-bout show. Doors open at 6.30pm, with boxing starting at 7pm.