Sergio Martinez vs Darren Barker is Close For October 1

By David "Los Gatos" Rosenberg

According to promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, a deal was reached with Lou DiBella to match undefeated Darren Barker (23-0, 14KOs) against middleweight king Sergio Martinez (47-2, 26KOs) on October 1, which HBO is going to televise. Hearn announced his deal with DiBella on the social networks and now he's waiting to receive a contract for Barker. This rules Barker out of the running for a possible fight with WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on September 24.