Prizefighter's Carl Baker asks - 'Any idea who the Wild Card is?'

I had a little laugh when I saw Carl 'The Fridge' Baker walk out of the changing rooms at the Ingles' Sheffield gym yesterday. Britain's heaviest boxer was an Ingle boy three years ago before falling out over some stuff and nonsense which has now been resolved.  Quite a few boxers leave the Ingles.  Not that many go on to excel.  More return.

Big Carl, all 20st+ of him, is in the next Prizefighter line up, which takes place at London's York Hall on Saturday 9th October.  There have been too many Prizefighter tournaments for me to keep track of but I don't think a 'Wild Card' has been introduced prior to this event.  If there has been, I've forgotten.  Regardless, there's one for this tournament and Big Carl (9-5) has been drawn against the mystery man.

'Any idea who the Wild Card is?' asks the likeable, softly-spoken giant.

I grimace.

'That look means yes.  Come on then...'

I explain my way of thinking - that the promoter must be trying hard to secure a decent name but hasn't done so as of yet.  Or if they have, they want to keep it under wraps for now.  The name I'd heard doing the rounds was Tyson Fury.

Baker smiled.  'That's why I came down here again two weeks ago - to spar Fury.  I've decided to stay.  He must like the sparring because he keeps coming back.  I asked him and Hughie (his uncle and sometime trainer) if he was the Wild Card.  They said it wasn't.'

I pointed out that just because it isn't him now doesn't mean it won't be him come fight night.  'I mean, they're hardly going to create the anticipation of a Wild Card for Billy Bessey's comeback, are they?' I suggest (no offence, Bill).

'I was hoping it would be someone easier than Billy Bessey!' laughed Carl. 'I was going to send Matchroom a list of names to pick from!'

It becomes apparent after a short discussion that Carl hasn't really looked at the draw or considered many of his potential opponents - those he can remember, that is.

'I wanted Kevin McBride.  Then I could say I've beaten two men who've beat Tyson.'  

Carl's career best win was the surprising defeat of Danny Williams in the quarter-final of a previous Prizefighter tournament in October last year.  He put Williams over in the first round and the shock win, although Baker was beaten by Coleman Barrett in the semi, propelled Baker to a British title eliminator against Dereck Chisora in February.  Baker looked out of sorts and lacking fitness even by his standards and was overwhelmed by Chisora in two.

Back with his early mentors, he seems more content.  He does seem alarmingly relaxed about his return to the ring though and as he's boxing Mr. Wild Card, an opponent he can't look to never mind past, Carl has resigned himself to doing his own thing.

'You are taking this seriously, big man?  You appear to have done no research or have no plan whatsoever.'

'I'm just going to turn up.'