Thank god, Martinez-Barker IS NOT finalized!

‘Dazzling’ Darren awaits contract for US bout Sergio Martinez’s October 1st bout with European middleweight champion Darren Barker is still to be finalized according to the Londoner. Barker, 29, was acting as a pundit on Sky Sports’ Saturday fight night last weekend and confirmed that the bout is agreed ‘in principle’ with the Argentinian, although contracts are yet to be exchanged or signed. The undefeated Brit (23-0, 14 KO’s) faces his toughest test to date against the two-weight world champion if the bout can be agreed as he seeks to gain exposure on American soil and knows that a bout with ‘Maravilla’ win or lose, will make him a household name in the States amongst the boxing fans. 36 year-old Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KO’s) is regarded as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world and currently holds the coveted Ring Magazine middleweight belt in his possession. The California-based southpaw has been pencilled in to challenge WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. early next year and will want a convincing performance against whoever he faces in October to lead him into his title shot. Maybe there's still a chance of them replacing him with Pirog, Golovkin or Rubio.