I Catch Killers: Gary Jubelin says he saw the mark of Khalid Baker inside the boxing ring

True character comes out in a boxing ring and when Gary Jubelin traded blows with his I Catch Killers podcast guest Khalid Baker, who is fighting to clear his name of murder, he learnt plenty. Watch the sparring session.

I normally don’t pay attention to murder cases other than the ones I was investigating but there was something about Khalid Baker’s case that grabbed my attention.

This was in part because I am a bit of a boxing tragic. Knowing the discipline and focus required of a boxer of Khalid’s calibre, I am curious when someone like that runs foul of the law. Khalid’s name also came up in a podcast I was recording with well-known criminologist and author Xanthe Mallett.

She had written about Khalid’s case in her book, Reasonable Doubt, in which questions were raised about Khalid’s conviction.

Don’t miss Gary Jubelin’s compelling one-on-one interview with Khalid Baker, convicted of murder but fighting to clear his name. Listen to I Catch Killers below.

PART 1 – ‘I am innocent’ ‘ Baker’s fight for justice

Part 2: 13 years jail – How Baker found peace behind bars

Through that connection I contacted Khalid and his sister Muna. Khalid had finished his
13-year sentence and was now a free man, although he was still trying to clear his name through a petition for mercy to the Victorian Attorney-General.

Talking to Khalid, it struck me that he wasn’t bitter. Even though he had just spent the whole of his young adulthood in prison for a crime he and informed legal people maintain he did not commit.

GKhalid Baker and Gary Jubelin exchanging blows in the ring. Picture: Annette Dew

It was also apparent Khalid had genuine empathy for Albert Snowball, the 22-year-old that he was convicted of killing, and Albert’s family.

He is a convicted murderer and I am an ex-homicide Detective so I was unsure if he would reject my approach but he agreed.

At the time Khalid was in a training camp in Brisbane preparing for an upcoming fight in the brutal world of professional boxing. It was agreed that I would travel to Brisbane and do the podcast at the boxing gym, so his training wasn’t disrupted.

Gary Jubelin and Khalid Baker during the podcast recording in Brisbane. Picture: Annette Dew

It was also agreed that I should bring my mouthguard and gloves so I could do some sparring with Khalid while recording the podcast.

Always up for a challenge — or maybe just being stupid — I agreed.

Meeting Khalid at the boxing gym, he had an energy about him, that I could best describe as a predatory animal, comfortable in his own domain. It wasn’t designed to intimidate — but it did and it made it clear he is not a victim.

Jubelin said he discovered much about Khalid Baker’s character while sparring in the ring. Picture: Annette Dew

The way he presents makes perfect sense to me. He had to survive in an adult prison from the age of 18, where any weakness would be preyed upon and he now makes his living as a professional prize fighter.

We recorded the first hour of the podcast in a well worn boxing ring, which had the obligatory blood stains on the canvas.

We then got changed and did a quick warm-up before we stepped in the ring to do three rounds of sparring. In those three rounds I learnt a lot about Khalid the person.

Khalid could have hurt me if he wanted. I box but I know where I sit in the pecking order when sparring someone like Khalid.

A person’s character comes out in the boxing ring, both strengths and weaknesses.

What I found out about Khalid’s character in those three rounds was that he was a tough, focused individual who was also respectful, compassionate and generous.

I survived the sparring session, a bit marked-up but in one piece and we then finished off the podcast.

I enjoyed meeting Khalid and would say I even felt inspired.

I like people who don’t hide behind excuses.

Khalid has every reason to be angry and bitter, the fact he is not is a credit to him and also to his family.

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Originally published as I Catch Killers: Gary Jubelin says he saw the mark of Khalid Baker inside the boxing ring