HAVING turned professional early last year Sunderland cruiserweight, Warren Baister, didnโt push for the chance to appear at the Olympics in Rio last month, however, for him, and those closest to him, itโs not something in which he regrets.
The highly decorated GB star decided that, after seven years on the national squad he would take a shot at the professionals, taking to it like the proverbial duck to water with four straight wins before an old injury flared up slamming on the brakes.
Having been under the knife several times in his career Baister, a former, two-time ABA heavyweight champion, suffered a rather freak lisfarne ligament injury (the kind only suffered in car accidents) in his right foot during a sparring session โ it is that which has held him again, not that itโs affected him.
Set to marry fiancรฉ Emma Waters, in Vegas, where Callum Smith is expected to be one of the guests, Baister, who is managed by Matthew Macklinโs MGM Marbella, is set to return to the ring before the end of the year.
โIโm coming to the end of rehab at present after the foot injury flared up again prior to my last scheduled outing (at the Summer Rumble in Sunderland),โ began Baister.
โItโs just another bump in the road and doesnโt really bother me, Iโm used to it now and have been seeing a specialist, Tim Clough, on both occasions. Iโm now hoping that I can be back November-December time and then push for titles next year, stepping up sooner rather than later.
โI live a healthy lifestyle and train often but being in the pros is so far different to the amateurs, hence the need to step up. Being with the GB squad I was regularly opposing the best in the world so this has been a shock to the system with the difference between them; GB laid the foundations for me so Iโm already seasoned to the longer rounds.โ
It was just over two years ago when Baister decided to leave the amateurs, and a GB set-up heโd spent some seven years within. Not medalling at the Commonwealth Games weighed heavy on his mind, as had the London Olympics two years prior to that.
Although 31 now, fast approaching 32, he feels a decade younger, turning over obviously benefitting the unbeaten north-east prospect.
Well backed, not only by MGM but also his sponsors in Harry Burnicle Electrical Company, Stand-Up Driving School, Pity Me Nursery & Tea Barn and Boldon Bathroom & Kitchens, Baister watched the Rio Games from the comfort of his own home.
He added: โI was disappointed with the Commonwealths two years ago as nothing clicked into place for me so thatโs when I knew I wanted to be away from the amateurs.
โI then watched the Olympics a few weeks ago, having already had four fights as a professional (heโs won all four with three coming via stoppage) and I thought I was going to be sick, gutted, but I wasnโt as thereโs a lot of pressure on Olympians.
โI remember how it was at the London Games and what we had to go through to get there. I wanted it really bad then but I knew Iโd have the same feeling again and I didnโt want that.โ
โNow though, being with someone like Binnsy (David Binns) atย Peterlee, is great and he certainly keeps you occupied thatโs for sure, but heโs a good bloke and knows his stuff which means Iโve got a good standing moving forward.โ
Titles though are certainly on his mind, and his stable-mate Charlie Edwards for that matter who has blasted through the pro ranks in the past few years.
โCharlie [Edwards] is the perfect example of having been there and done it and is now up there challenging for a world title,โ Baister continued.
โAs for me, Iโll go for whatever title presents itself first to me and go for it. Iโd like to think Iโd be able to go straight for the English title and thereโs definitely scope for a fight with [local rival] Simon Vallily as, although weโre good mates and talk to each other often this is not just a sport, itโs a business.โ