Michael Gomez Jr Stops Kane Baker in Thrilling Battle

Michael Gomez Jr. and Kane Baker kicked off the televised portion of the DAZN show in Manchester with a bang, engaging in a fierce battle that had the makings of a Fight of the Year candidate. The contest, which opened the Jordan Gill and Zelfa Barrett main event, saw both fighters refuse to take a step back in their pursuit of victory.

Early on, Baker was the busier and more industrious of the two, landing solid right hands. However, Gomez, the English super featherweight champion, stood his ground and continued to press forward.

The action reached a fever pitch in the third round, with heads clashing as both fighters sustained cuts near their right eyes. Despite the gruelling pace, Gomez found a breakthrough in the opening moments of the sixth round, landing consecutive right uppercuts that sent Baker crashing face-first to the canvas.

Although visibly shaken, Baker managed to rise to his feet, and referee Mark Lyson allowed the fight to continue after a close inspection. However, Gomez seized the opportunity and unleashed a barrage of punches with both hands, culminating in a devastating right hand that caught Baker on the side of the face, dropping him flat on his back. Lyson immediately stopped the contest 36 seconds into the sixth round.

"I was relaxed all the way through," said Gomez after the fight. "There was no way I was leaving here without knocking him out. It was a matter of time. The referee done the right thing. I was one shot away from probably knocking him spark out."

With the victory, Gomez improved his record to 21-1 (6 KOs) and called out British champion Reece Bellotti in his post-fight interview. Conversely, Baker falls to 19-11 (1 KO) following the thrilling battle.