By Phil D. Jay
The world’s best middleweight Sergio Martinez has told WBN that current European champion Darren Barker is in for a tough night on October 1st and that he doesn’t plan on the fight going the full twelve rounds.
The 36 year-old has studied tapes of the Londoner and is not taking the fight lightly, although he is a huge favourite to come through the bout at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
“I have seen several fights of Barker. He is European Champion and is undefeated and these figures speak for themselves,” Martinez explained to World Boxing News.
“English fighters are always aggressive and Barker has its own style. He is about to get the opportunity of his life so he will be highly motivated to win the fight.
“I am going into this fight with Barker as if it is a world title bout with Kelly Pavlik or Bernard Hopkins.
“I am very clear and I'm going to win and I will win before the twelfth.”
‘Maravilla’ has been preparing with the likes of David Lemieux and undefeated Magomed Abdulusalamov and believes he is in the best shape of his life as his 52nd career fight approaches.
“Every day I am a better boxer, every day I train better, hit harder and think and feel more like a champion.
“I am improving all the time. Training is going perfectly and the sparring is good,” he added.
Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net