Domestic title fights rarely disappoint in the U.K., and the upcoming English junior lightweight title clash between Michael Gomez Jr. and Kane Baker looks like a sure-fire crowd pleaser.

Gomez and Baker will meet on the undercard of the 130-pound fight between Jordan Gill and Zelfa Barrett in Manchester on April 13.

Baker wasn’t at the top table at New Century Hall to announce the matchup with Gomez. Matchbook’s Eddie Hearn explained that Baker, 33, of Birmingham, U.K., was across the Atlantic preparing for the fight in Mexico and America.

A couple hours later, the general public flocked into the same venue for the Manchester leg of the Josh Taylor-Jack Catterall press tour, and there – packed in among a group of Catterall fans – was Baker. Either Concorde is back in operation or somebody got the wrong end of the stick.

“Oh, that was a few days ago,” Baker told Boxing Scene with a laugh. “I didn’t even know I was supposed to be here today.

“This is the biggest fight of my life, and I couldn’t pick a better opponent. I like the way he fights and I think it’s gonna gel for a big dust-up.”

Gomez (20-1, 5 KOs) finally has some momentum behind him. A confident 29-year-old from Mancunian, he has begun to fulfill his potential over the past 18 months, beating Brian Phillips in a small-hall classic to win the Central Area title and then overcoming a slow start to outpoint the previously unbeaten Levi Giles to win the English title. 

Baker (19-10-2, 1 KO) is respected as a solid opponent and a hard night’s work for any young junior lightweight, but he still craves more and knows this is his final opportunity to carve himself out a role on the left-hand side of the bill. He came up short in a previous challenge for the English lightweight title and is determined not to let this chance slip away.

“He’s all action and he’s there all night,” Baker said of Gomez. “He plants his feet and lets them go. I’m a fan of him, in a way. My style is one way, too. I only know one way. I reckon it could happen in a phonebox. You need an engine and that’s what I’m building at the moment. I’m looking to go all night with him.

“It’s shit or bust for me. There’s only gonna be one outcome, though, and I’m gonna win on April 13. I’ve never felt as excited as I am for this fight.”