Lock returns to the ring, dedicates fight to mate’s memory

DAMIEN Lock believed his boxing career was firmly over following his last professional bout against Western Bulldogs premiership hero Clay Smith in May last year – and happily so.

But an offer ‘too good to refuse’ will see the 46-year-old from Bendigo climb back between the ropes this Saturday night in Melbourne as part of the undercard to the Mitch Leek-Theo Dounias vacant IBF World Youth Middleweight Title fight.

Lock, who played 18 games for Carlton in 1998-99, will lock horns with former St Kilda star Steven Baker over three two-minute rounds.

“It’s not a professional fight – those days are over. It’s called a corporate fight. It’s bigger gloves, shorter rounds,” Lock explained

“It’s a bit of an opportunity, so I thought why not, I’ll give it a go.

“Even if it is a one-off, I’m still excited to be getting back into it on the big stage down at Melbourne Pavilion.

“There’s a big world title fight as the main event, so it’s a pretty big fight card.

“It will be great to get in there and feel the buzz again.”

Lock is no stranger to the bright lights, having fought on the undercard of several major events, most notably the memorable first Michael Zerafa-Jeff Horn stoush in Bendigo in 2019.

Proudly, he got the opportunity to fight in front of a hometown crowd at Bendigo Stadium four times, savouring victory twice.

Lock, who retired from professional boxing with four wins, seven losses and a draw, will have a distinct advantage in experience over Baker, whose only previous fight delivered a unanimous points win over former Collingwood footballer Brodie Holland.

Two years apart in age, the pair’s AFL careers overlapped only briefly in 1999, Baker’s debut year.

They did not play against each other at senior level.

“He had a great career – 200 games is something to be proud of. It’s a great achievement,” Lock said.

Both fighters will carry extra motivation into the bout.

Baker, who has been sparring with Lock’s final professional opponent Smith in the lead-up to Saturday night, is donning the gloves to raise mental health awareness.

Lock is dedicating the fight to his good mate and star former Eaglehawk cricketer Linc McRae, who died suddenly in February this year as the result of an accident.

The pair were mates in high school and played sport together.

McRae’s image and name will adorn the T-shirt Lock will wear to the ring.

He is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation, putting in plenty of hours in at the gym he owns in Golden Gully – DL Boxing Gym.

A late convert to boxing, only having his first pro bout in 2015 as a 36-year-old, Lock is brutally frank about the positive role it had played in his life.

“It turned my life around,” he said.

“I was pretty wild when I was younger and a bit lost when footy finished.

“I was off the rails and didn’t know what I was doing with my life, but boxing steered me in another direction. I’m pretty grateful for it.

“The extension of that was starting up the gym.

“I’ve met a lot of people who are good friends now and continually come in and support the gym.

“It’s great fun. It’s a bit of a bonus if you get to do what you love doing. It’s a big win.”