Baister's Euro chance

Warren Baister's rise to prominence continues apace after the Sunderland heavyweight was given the chance to win his first European title.
Baister only made his international debut for England last weekend, but has made an instant impact.

And he was quickly invited to join Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club stablemate Tony Jeffries in Britain's team at the EU Nations Championships in Poland next week.

The doors are starting to open for the joiner, who works for housing firm gentoo and is reaping the rewards after becoming Amateur Boxing Association champion in London last month.

"It's all happening," admitted the delighted 21-year-old, from Carley Hill. "I'm over the moon.

"I only found out yesterday that I'd been picked for Poland and work have been good in that they let me take holiday at short notice.

"This is all new to me, but I feel confident and I think I can cause a few upsets. The England coaches seemed happy with me at the weekend and it was brilliant to get this chance."

Baister's two bouts in Hungary last weekend brought a defeat to world-ranked Darmos Jozsef and victory over Fekete Janos, though most in the England camp felt he had won both contests.

He said: "I lost the first one on a very bad decision and battered the second lad, but still only got it on a split decision.

"We were told not to expect to get the decisions before we went over there, though."

Baister was joined in Hungary by fellow Wearsider and new ABA flyweight champion Adam Whitfield, who was also left rueing some kind decisions in favour of the home boxers.

He fell to defeats at the hands of Gergely Szalai and Olympic qualifier Norbert Kalucza, but was philsophical.

"The first bout was quite close and I thought I'd won it," said Whitfield, who boxed for Sunderland ABC before joining the Army.

"The second one was against their Olympics guy and I think I worried him. It was a tough fight, though, and great experience for me. The standards were high out there and I think I did myself justice, despite the decisions.

"My season's over now and I can't wait to get started again in September."