The Scouting of Darren Barker.

[IronDanHamza]

wow really? that's a pretty weak move by martinez after criticizing pac's previous opponents.

Very weak. Let's not foret that Barker has only had a handful of fights above British level, then a lay off. And now only a single fight since then in which I don't believe he has even shaken off al the rust. During his lay off he was pretty much completely inactive even in terms of training.

And as much as I have critisized Pac's last 3 opponents they are heaps and bounds more legit compared to fighting Darren Barker.

[AddiX]

He's average across the board. You can tell he's more schooled than a lot of euro fighters, does things you only do if you been boxing a long time.

But at the end of the day he just isn't physically gifted enough and doesn't do anything amazing that he can really lean on against a top level fighter.

That's you see him in these videos having trouble against low level guys. Not enough firepower.

[AndyShitHot]

I don't know what people expect, Martinez is the Paul Williams of 2 years ago - all risk, little reward. Fighting him doesn't pay a Pacquiao type purse so of course he's going to struggle to find an opponent when fighters like Pirog and Sturm aren't going to make much more against Martinez than they do already against bums in their own back yards. Barker is a top class european operator who could've become world class if it wasn't for the layoff. Now though he has just become another opponent but what can Martinez do when nobody else wants the fight, it's not like he's ducking anybody.

[Joeyzagz]

Ive been following Barker much longer than Sergio so I see this from Barker's perspective.

I think Sergio is too much too soon. He's barely fought anyone outside of Europe, and still needs to get his bearings.

[Evil Abed]

This thread has demonstrated the best NSB has to offer.

Opinions without name calling and trolling. (excluding the first post)

I'm glad we can have conversation about a fighter like Darren Barker for 5 pages.

Good stuff.

[Control-]

He's not as good as Ryan Rhodes.

[Evil Abed]

He's not as good as Ryan Rhodes.

Not sure about that.

Why do you think so?

Jamie Moore is about established as Spada.

I'd say there on about the same level.

But Canelo aint no Sergio.

Canelo-Rhodes is a dead even fight IMO.

[I am tyler]

I think Martinez will beat any middlweight and light middle however he wants. I think he would destroy Barker but I do think Barker would beat ten shades of **** out of Chavez Jr

[IronDanHamza]

Not sure about that.

Why do you think so?

Jamie Moore is about established as Spada.

I'd say there on about the same level.

But Canelo aint no Sergio.

Canelo-Rhodes is a dead even fight IMO.

Rhodes is a better fihgter than Barker and has been through numerous eliminators to earn his Top 10 slot at 154 and a shot at the world title.

Barker hasn't done anything to earn his world title shot.

[BetterCallSaul]

In my opinion Darren Barker is the best British middleweight.

He has very good boxing skills, slips punches, and can fire back with good combinations. That said, Martinez is a few levels above Barker at this point. If he had a little bit more power this fight would be a lot harder to call. However, he lacks any real pop which means he will probably struggle to keep Martinez off him during the middle rounds. I believe Martinez will start teeing off on the retreating and battle inexperienced Barker around the 9th round forcing the referee to jump in and stop the fight. Barker has enough guile to reach the championship rounds, but he will eventually tire, allowing Martinez to essentially do what he wants with him.

Martinez T/KO 9th round.