Christopher Baker, head coach at Waltham Forest, is immensely proud of his club. Acknowledging that whilst not the biggest club around, whenever a Waltham boxer has a bout, even if he’s their only boxer on the entire show and the event is taking place on the other side of the country, his boxers will always be there, supporting their gym mate.

Having boxed for six years,
becoming an ABA novice champion in 1994, as well as boxing two future world champions (that he modestly remains unnamed), Christopher began coaching when he realised he wasn’t good enough to turn pro, deciding then that he was going to be the best coach he could possibly be. In his time as coach, Christopher has prided himself at teaching all types and levels of boxers. This is

certainly apparent when noting the various levels of abilities of the Waltham boxers, especially his females, which include ABA champion Shakaira Ley.

Christopher says that whilst there are few things worse then when one of his boxers, who the other coaches and himself have worked hard to train leaves for another club, the feeling is more the countered when he see’s one of his boxers come out of a championship victorious.

Christopher is optimistic about the future of Amateur Boxing. He believes that the state of the game is improving a great deal through extra funding and the prospect of the 2012 Olympics which he is looking forward to a great.

Number of years boxing:
10 Years

Titles won::
London ABA Champion
North East London ABA Champion

Favourite boxer:
Manny Pacquiao for his fast pace, he's a real crowd pleaser. Ricky Hatton, he's strong, powerful and possiably the best british boxer ever. Barrera is also up there, he's been around for years and is a true legend.

Why Did You Start Boxing:
When I was 10 I got bullied a bit at primary school, so I thought I should toughen myself up before high school. Seems to have worked, havent had much problems since.

Best memory in boxing :
Winning my first ABA London title was pretty special, so was representing London

Worst memory in boxing :
Having to box someone in the London fianls who later turned out to have had to many bouts to have boxed in that paticular competition.

What is it you most like about your club:
The team of lads

Toughest part of being a boxer:
It takes up a lot of your life.. but its definatly worth it

Ambitions in Boxing:
Win an ABA title
Represnt England and get a vest.

Number of years boxing:
6 Years

Titles won::
North East London ABA Finalist

Favourite boxer:
Ricky Hatton, down to earth, funny, strong and so ambitious. All such admirable characteristics in a man of his stature. Barrera aswell, he's very confident and has great stlye a great idol to have

Best memory in boxing :
It has got to be my first win. I dont think that feeling has been matched.

Worst memory in boxing :
Losing the North East Finals in a first round stoppage. That was quite hard to deal with.

What is it you most like about your club:
The team at the gym.

Ambitions in Boxing:
To win an ABA title
Get into the England squad. Isnt that everyone's target?

Number of years boxing:
I've been boxing for just over a year now, I started in 2007. Although I did kick boxing at a high level in Holland before I stared boxing

Faverouite Boxer:
Only one - Mike Tyson

Why Did You Start Boxing:
I stared boxing because when I moved over from Amsterdam to London I wasnt really able to persue my kickboxing. Amatuer Boxing is really big over here, whilst kickboxing is relatively small.

Titles won:
44 Kg Dutch Kickboxing Champion 2004 (not exactly relevant but still impressive)
Female ABA Champion

Best memory in boxing :
Winning my first fight was an amazing feeling.

Worst memory in boxing :
Not being able to make the weight to compete in the 2007 ABA female championships. That was really dissapointing. It would have been great to win a title in my first season as an Amateur boxer.

What is it you most like about your club:
The people and the trainers

Ambitions in Boxing:
To become the female World Champion and to compete in the 2012 London Olympics (to do both at the same time would be perfect)

Number of years boxing:
6 Years

Titles won::
London Goldon Belt Champion 85 kg
Goldon Belt Finalist 85 kg

Favourite boxer:
Mike Tyson, youngest heavyweight champion, can really beat that for an achievement. Sugar Ray Leonard, very charismatic, fast hands. He fought the best and rarly lost.

Worst memory in boxing :
Losing in the Goldonbelt finals was pretty bad. Its hard when you get that close to winning a championship.

What is it you most like about your club:
There are a lot of boxers here who are constantly improving and show immense potential.

Ambitions in Boxing:
To win as many fishts as possiable. I'm not unrealisitic with my goals... to fight in the ABA Novices would be nice.