By Rick Reeno

Sources with knowledge of the details have advised BoxingScene.com that a deal was reached for IBF middleweight champion Darren Barker (26-1, 16KOs) to defend his title against mandatory challenger Felix Sturm (38-3-2, 17KOs) on December 7th at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart Germany.

Barker captured the title in August with a close split decision win over Daniel Geale, who defeated Sturm, also by split decision, last September.

When Barker won the belt, his promoter Eddie Hearn was going to make a serious push to bring Sturm to the UK - but we've been told that Barker was compensated well to travel over to Sturm's home turf.