Darren Barker....

[The_Expert]

what are you talking about? 18 months lay off. I watched boxrec and he never had a 18 monts lay off

[jjbj2]

They are like ESPN graduates who are going to challenge world champions at Sky, HBO, or Showtime billing. People have to remember even Duckweather started in ESPN.

[dan_cov]

Such a sad story, I have heard his brother was a remarkable talent and did manage to see a fight of his I hope Darren does well, he is one of the very few Brits I have faith in.

[dan_cov]

what are you talking about? 18 months lay off. I watched boxrec and he never had a 18 monts lay off

Sorry I thought it was, just over a year off after he was jumped outside a nightclub which is still a pretty long lay off and props to him he took a fight against a dangerous, live opponent and looked great on his return.

[The_Expert]

Sorry I thought it was, just over a year off after he was jumped outside a nightclub which is still a pretty long lay off and props to him he took a fight against a dangerous, live opponent and looked great on his return.

oh ok, what happened exactly? never heared of him until he signed to fight Martinez. Whats his story?

[project xxx1]

Hear me out, I see a lot of people saying Sergio will kill him in 1 etc usually followed by ''I haven't even heard of Barker, he will get killed'' which is absurd!

Barker is a 10/1 underdog and I know damn well how good Sergio is I said this way before the hype-train come about.

But am I the only one the thinks Barker has a glimpse of hope? Now don't get me wrong I am not some deluded Brit saying ''Yh yh Barker will box Martinez's head off''

BUT....Barker is no mug, I mean people give that robot Dzinurkic a chance?

Barker has the height/reach and uses it well, yes I KNOW SERGIO'S A BEAST! BUT...Barkers technically very good, he is very fast, has nice footwork, good lateral movement, a nice jab, he has very good combinations he does lack power but he is fast and has the power to command respect. He's bloody good against southpaws as well, that is being overlooked.

He has tools and I have no doubt in my mind he would throttle Macklin & the likes, sure Sergio is a whole different kettle of fish but I feel his style, speed, nimbleness can give Sergio problems.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sergio did blast him out but if Barker finds his range he is hungry, confident and can IMO certainly can give Sergio major problems in there. I know Sergio has fought a whole lot better but after a 18 month lay off? Barker fought Spada who is dangerous, IMO he won a lot wider than the scorecards and Spada IMO beat Zbik the first time round I also feel he beat Oral who is no mug.

I think Barker has a better chance than people are making out they are kind of, too scared to say. Or maybe they don't see what I see in Barker.

I think this comes down to styles & I will stick my neck on the line & say I firmly believe Barker has a shot at taking this if he fights smart.

Yh I know, you're sat their laughing ''Who is this new guy? he is talking such ****''
Watch Barker fight & base this on styles I think Sergio probably will win and by K.O/T.K.O but 10/1 is ridiculous, Sergio is good/great but this is a guy who not so long back drew with Cintron, lost a questionable decision to Williams, he is far from unbeatable.

you talk ****,you think khan is overrated and barker is better than pirog,barker is very average at his best,martinez will destroy barker within 7 rounds

if barker wins one round against martinez ill be shocked

[any craic lad?]

Beglechiam had Barker running for coer for the last 6 lucky to have gotten the win that night had it a pretty clear draw.Martinez will handle him without too much haste.Good European level fighter which is no shame at all but from what ive seen not a world beater

[dan_cov]

you talk ****,you think khan is overrated and barker is better than pirog,barker is very average at his best,martinez will destroy barker within 7 rounds

if barker wins one round against martinez ill be shocked

Khan is hella overrated, but this thread isn't about him & no shame in losing to Sergio within 7, if Barker goes out on his sheild I will be proud of him. I genuinely believe if Barker takes control early & gets off first he can do well. No matter if he losses or how I will ALWAYS respect Barker and follow him as I love watching him fight and unlike a lot of guys atm he has the bollocks to fight Martinez! I love Sergio and I know how good this cat is but Barker is so damn underrated it's unreal, people just seem to look at his win over Williams and a robotic Dzinurik & think he is all that, sure he is very good but he also has IMO major flaws in his game, his hands are seriously low, his combinations are quite predictable etc

Don't watch Sergio, study him, he is very beatable & open. **** triangle theories, Barkers style can give Sergio big problems and people know this IMO but are too scared to say it.

Barker is no mug and you'll see that and I am positive win-lose-draw he will gain a lot of respect in this fight.

[dan_cov]

Beglechiam had Barker running for coer for the last 6 lucky to have gotten the win that night had it a pretty clear draw.Martinez will handle him without too much haste.Good European level fighter which is no shame at all but from what ive seen not a world beater

Good post, Barker didn't 'dazzle' in that fight but Martinez has had his off-nights too, a draw vs Cintron, Surcica give him major problems as did a few other guys with more losses than win in the past few years.

[gauze]

Good post, Barker didn't 'dazzle' in that fight but Martinez has had his off-nights too, a draw vs Cintron, Surcica give him major problems as did a few other guys with more losses than win in the past few years.

LOL!!!! we all know he ko'd cintron and then got buttfuucked again on the scorecards. you mean the judges had an off-night...right?