Barker vs. Bendall Undercard Poster

Wellington · Post by **Wellington** » 30 Jan 2008, 19:29

Hennessy Sports in association with GoldenPalace.net Proudly Present

CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING @ YORK HALL, BETHNAL GREEN

Friday 22nd February 2008

Doors 6pm, Boxing Starts 6.30pm.

Ticket Prices:

· Ringside £75 – Reserved

· Unreserved £30

For Tickets call the Box Office on: 0870 060 1795 or book via the web:

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 31 Jan 2008, 05:27

"Dazzling" Darren Barker defends his Commonwealth middleweight title against Midlands veteran Steve Bendall at York Hall on Friday, February 22.
Mick Hennessy promotes.
Londoner Barker won the vacant title comprehensively outscoring durable Aussie Ben Crampton at the same venue in November. It was just his second fight back from the traumatic loss of younger brother Gary in a car smash. Darren, whose father Terry was ABA light-flyweight champ back in 1980 (beating the great John Lyon to win the title), took 10 months out following the tragedy in December 2006 and lacked the appetite to even think about fighting again.
But time has a way of healing and the fighter returned last October to halt Southend's outgunned Greg Barton in three, before stepping up against the previously unbeaten Crampton a month later and romping to the points and the 'proper' Commonwealth belt.
Now 16-0 (10), 25-year-old Darren mixes hard shots to head and body and looks too young and eager for Bendall, who has been around the block a few times at 34 and is horribly cut-prone (take a look at that poster, a shot of him after the bloody Mike Algoet fight). The Coventry southpaw certainly doesn't lack championship experience. He was stopped in six by Plymouth puncher Scott Dann for the British middleweight title in 2004 (back problems forced Dann out of the game); Wayne Elcock, the current British middleweight champion, stopped him in eight for the English belt in 2006 (Elcock is shortly to face Darren McDermott in the biggest all-Midlands fight for years); Bendall's only other defeat (in 31) came in a challenge for the European middleweight title against German Sebastian Sylvester in Germany (three rounds).
So Steve has a fine record and is currently on a winning run of three. The challenger can obviously look after himself (you need to in Coventry) but history tells us he loses when he steps up and Barker, a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, is another step up. The hardworking champion showed good stamina against Crampton and forces his way to a middle or late-round stoppage.

Wellington · Post by **Wellington** » 31 Jan 2008, 13:58

Hennessy Sports in association with GoldenPalace.net Proudly Present
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING @ YORK HALL, BETHNAL GREEN
Friday 22nd February 2008
Doors 6pm, Boxing Starts 6.30pm.

Ticket Prices:
· Ringside £75 – Reserved
· Unreserved £30

For Tickets call the Box Office on: 0870 060 1795 or book via the web: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk

******************************************************
Darren Barker (Barnet) vs Steven Bendall (Coventry)
12x3 Commonwealth Middleweight Championship Title
******************************************************
Lenny Daws (Mordon) vs TBA
8x3 Light Welterweight

Andrew Singh Kooner (Birmingham/Toronto) vs Rocky Dean (Bury St.Edmonds)
8x3 Bantamweight

David Walker (Sidcup/Bermondsey) vs TBA
6x3 Welterweight

Dave Stewart (Wanstead) vs John Honey (Basingstoke)
6x3 Lightweight

Daniel Herdman (Stevenage) vs TBA
4x3 Light Middle Weight

Victor Smith (Tottenham) vs Shpetim Hoti (New Cross)
4x3 Cruiser Weight

Lee Purdy (Colchester) vs TBA
4x3 Lightweight

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 22 Feb 2008, 13:12

Really looking forward to watching this one on Sky tonight.

I have to go for Barker, he's the man on the up and has really adpated well to the pro's considering he was well suited to the amateurs.

As Bennie says Bendall is very cut prone and Darren has excellent fitness to keep the leather coming and make a mess of Steve's face, but there's nothing wrong with Bendall's bottle, so if cuts don't cause a problem it should be very entertaining.

Both can put their punches together really well when in form and I'm especially looking forward to some lively exchanges.

Has to be Barker, but no doubt Bendall will give it a damn good go.

Romi · Post by **Romi** » 22 Feb 2008, 17:36

anybody have an update on the main event?...thx, much appreciated

ogii3 · Post by **ogii3** » 22 Feb 2008, 17:43

Romi wrote:anybody have an update on the main event?...thx, much appreciated

Bendall was knocked down i first round ,according to bwin live betting

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 22 Feb 2008, 18:06

Into the 7th now and Barker totally dominant. Bendall is eating jabs like they're going out of fashion and has looked on the verge of being stopped on a number of occasions.
Barker looks sharp but looks a bit predictable in his attacks on occasion - not really going to the body or throwing a lot inside. He also seems content to gradually wear Bendall down rather than move through the gears and force the stoppage. Would like to see him step up the pace...

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 22 Feb 2008, 18:08

Bendall stopped on the cut, 7th rnd

Tough as they come is Steve but Barker was the better man tonight.

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 22 Feb 2008, 18:13

Solid performance by Barker, but can't see him going beyond European level as things stand. Just seems to lack variety and the ability to really vary the pace to get an opponent out of there. He's a crisp, accurate hitter, but I'm not sure whether he's got the power to trouble guys higher up the 'food chain'.
Having said that it's early days for him so he's a work in progress...

Romi · Post by **Romi** » 22 Feb 2008, 18:13

Thx for those updates!

beano · Post by **beano** » 22 Feb 2008, 18:23

no head movement what so ever from Bandall :( Barker couldn't miss with the jab every punch was thudding his head back the cut saved him from more punishment reminded me of the beating Elcock gave him

E · Post by E » 22 Feb 2008, 18:58

The cut was a headbutt though............

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 22 Feb 2008, 19:07

Deserter wrote:Solid performance by Barker, but can't see him going beyond European level as things stand. Just seems to lack variety and the ability to really vary the pace to get an opponent out of there. He's a crisp, accurate hitter, but I'm not sure whether he's got the power to trouble guys higher up the 'food chain'.
Having said that it's early days for him so he's a work in progress...

Totally agree

Barker just seems to lack that `extra` something .. how open Bendall was early on for the left hook was worrying .. if Barker was as good as I was led to believe then he should have had him out of there quicker than Sylvester did.

Terrible cut .. :(

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 22 Feb 2008, 19:13

Nice that they ruined the Kooner v Reid knockout by warning us all it was coming, cheers sky

matko · Post by **matko** » 22 Feb 2008, 19:24

thought andy butlin did really well top fight vs david walker

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 22 Feb 2008, 19:52

Barker's a very good young fighter. He was picking his shots better this time. Promising middleweight. Both of the last 2 opponents were on the defensive following razor sharp starts by Barker, spoiling his work a bit. Tonight he landed some good, head snapping shots. I think it takes a better opponent to bring the best out of him. Let's not forget he had ages off due to his brother's tragedy. Along with Macklin and Lee and McEwan, he's one of the most talented middleweights around.

bigped · Post by **bigped** » 22 Feb 2008, 20:40

I agree he did seem to lack power it was like he was hitting him crisp and flush but i just thought he really should have been able to put him away, saying that hes young and improving and did look strong and fit so all the best to him.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 23 Feb 2008, 05:41

I see Barker as a work in progress. The previous fight he trew loads of shots but had a low % despite the great workrate. This time he was flush with it seemed every punch, but was quite sparing. The thing in common between both fights was that they became a tad monotonous.

Last time Crampton went into a shell, making it hard to connect. This time, Bendall kept tying up Barker's left hook. I felt Barker needed to throw more left hooks to get him out of there.

He should easily be able to beat Elcock before long. In all, Barker's a very correct, controlled fighter. He has a great base, and this is good to build up to higher levels.

The fight should have been a technical decision for Barker. Barker threw a high winging right, that ended up pulling Bendall's head onto his...

My only reservation. What can the Commonwealth title really bring for Barker? Aside from setting up demand to fight the British champ, there are no good Canadians, Aussies, Africans at the weight that I know of...It's the Euro belt that Barker needs, fights with Asikainen, Sylvester, Macklin when he's ready, etc.

Bruise Brubaker · Post by **Bruise Brubaker** » 23 Feb 2008, 11:26

Well i may as well make my first post here.

I was at the fight last night, my first taste of live boxing (its handy to have a girlfriend who lives 2 mintutes from the York Hall). Barker looked a good solid figher to me, nothing flashy but on the verge of European level.

On a side note, i was surprised by the venue. Given the history that it has in boxing , I was expecting it to look like a sports arena, but it was more like i was sitting in an assembly hall at school!

Can anyone who watched on sky tell me if Carl Froch was interviewed as he was sitting about 8 rows in front of me (and i'm like a big kid when i see celebs etc...)

In short, Hi

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 23 Feb 2008, 12:08

Bruise Brubaker wrote:Well i may as well make my first post here.

I was at the fight last night, my first taste of live boxing (its handy to have a girlfriend who lives 2 mintutes from the York Hall). Barker looked a good solid figher to me, nothing flashy but on the verge of European level.

On a side note, i was surprised by the venue. Given the history that it has in boxing , I was expecting it to look like a sports arena, but it was more like i was sitting in an assembly hall at school!

Can anyone who watched on sky tell me if Carl Froch was interviewed as he was sitting about 8 rows in front of me (and i'm like a big kid when i see celebs etc...)

In short, Hi

Welcome on board mate. No interview with Froch on Sky last night.
As for the York Hall, know what you're saying, but the atmosphere can be amazing. I was up on the balcony for Froch vs Brian Magee and you felt unbelievably close to the action. Great value for money compared to some of the Warren shows when you're paying serious money but need binoculars to see the action

fatton · Post by **fatton** » 23 Feb 2008, 12:27

matko wrote:thought andy butlin did really well top fight vs david walker

Walker needs to pack it in if he's going to have life or death with a novice like Butlin. Credit to Butlin though hope he can build on this rather than settling into a journeyman mode.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 26 Feb 2008, 09:21

Solid performance from Barker. He has the ability to become a major player on the British scene now and maybe even EBU success might not be too far away.

I have to feel for Bendall. He's a good boxer but can't cut it for the major titles. Maybe he can try and regain the English title or drop a level and opt for the Midland Area title which is missing from his honours list.

Back to Darren and the match I think could set the British middleweight division alight is against Darren McDermott. Massive obstacles to overcome here, McDermott must be an underdog against Elcock and even if he does win then there is the promotional differences, but a double title clash between these two would be terrific for the sport.

Barker vs. Bendall Undercard Poster

Barker vs. Bendall Undercard Poster

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