Darren Barker may have seen his world-title dream shattered - but remained unbowed and relishing another crack at the big time. The Barnet middleweight was stopped in the eleventh round by world number one and WBC's Diamond world champion Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City last Saturday.
While the recognized best middleweight in the world, Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez, continued his winning ways this past Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, his recent victory has brought up some criticisms from some boxing insiders. Martinez started off slow against London's Darren Barker before picking up the pace late in the fight on his way to an 11th round TKO.
Darren Barker has thanked fight fans for the ‘overwhelming response’ after his fantastic performance in his fight with middleweight king Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City on Saturday night.
As a corner man for Darren Barker on Saturday night, Joey Gamache, the former lightweight champion, got a good look at Sergio Martinez. Gamache was busy in Atlantic City, helping four different boxers achieve victories in three of their fights. One of the fighters he guided to a win was Andy Lee, who won an impressive decision against Brian Vera. As a result of the win, Lee has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Martinez and his WBC Diamond middleweight title. While Gamache was admiring of Martinez’s effort- he stopped Barker in the 11th round- he also saw some flaws. The normally bubbly Martinez labored against the defensive-minded Barker, working harder than he usually does.
By Jake Donovan - Maybe now, some of the best fighters in and around the middleweight division will be more willing to step to Sergio Martinez. In the very definition of “win today, look good the next time”, Martinez overcame a sluggish slow start and a broken nose to win an 11th round knockout over Darren Barker of England on Saturday evening at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Martinez came into the fight as a huge favorite, with Barker as high as an 18-1 underdog on several sportsbooks. The first few rounds hardly resembled such a mismatch. Barker made his presence felt early, enjoying success with a right hand that Martinez - who customarily fights with his hands by his waist – didn’t expect to come in as fast and hard as was the case. By the third round, Barker was able to force Martinez to fight at his pace and desired distance. While not necessarily winning rounds, the Brit was creeping closer and closer to giving the impression of an evenly contested affair.
WBC middleweight Diamond champion Sergio Martinez, fighting with a probable broken nose, closed the show by outlanding British boxer Darren Barker 33-9 in power shots over the last two rounds. Barker landed 38% of his total punches, throwing less than 40 per round however. Martinez knocked him out in the eleventh round.
Bill Emes catches the post-fight press conference to the middleweight clash between WBC Diamond champion Sergio Martinez and undefeated Darren Barker.
Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. - It was not the quick blowout victory that has come to typify bouts featuring unknown European challengers on HBO - it was a "bloody" good middleweight championship fight.
Matthew Macklin’s stock rose in June after a contentious decision defeat to WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm over in Germany. ‘Mack The Knife’ got stuck into the titlist early, harrying Sturm in every round before losing a 115-113, 112-116, twice, split decision that was condemned by many within the trade.
CompuBox takes a historical look at the last five fights for Sergio Martinez and Darren Barker, who clash later tonight in a middleweight bout at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Barker is the busier fighter, but Martinez is more accurate against much, much tough competition. Barker landed well below the weight class average in total punches.