"DAZZLING" DARREN BARKER 15/08/2008 Poster

[Wellington]

[Autobarn]

Is this the show in Canada? Must be. Any news on whom Barker is fighting?

[Podmore_Birmingham]

You would think it would be either Renan St Juste or Sebestien Demers, both from Canada. Either one would be good for Barker.

[Autobarn]

St Juste would be better.

Would love to see Barker in there with Walid Smichet - that would get him some extra recognition.

Wonder if Barker will fight some of the Irish guys. Andy Lee, John Duddy, etc - that's an interesting avenue, for sure.

[oliverfennell]

St Juste would be better.

Would love to see Barker in there with Walid Smichet - that would get him some extra recognition.

Wonder if Barker will fight some of the Irish guys. Andy Lee, John Duddy, etc - that's an interesting avenue, for sure.

ROI isn't in the Commonwealth.

[whiskey]

Nice earrings.

[Autobarn]

That narrows it down then.

[oliverfennell]

He could fight Duddy, though, as he's Northern Irish.

VERY much doubt it will happen, though.

[Autobarn]

Anyway, excellent boxer is Barker. Hoping he can go all the way. I like his speed, coordination, and boxing ability. With world champs like Pavlik and Abraham, you have to worry about Barker's chin, but he can be a very real contender at middleweight.

Before that there's plenty to do with that Commnwealth belt and maybe a try at the European champ. Sebastian Sylvester has been boxing well for the EBU title and he'd be agood scalp next year, IMO.

[Dioufy]

Told you before lads - it's Kofi Jantuah.

[Autobarn]

Are you sure? If so, dangerous fight & should be essential viewing.

[Dioufy]

I haven't spoken to the lads' uncle since he told me that but as far as I'm aware nothings changed. I also mentioned that this fight was in Canada, so I was right about that, you'll now just have to wait for the official announcement, but I'm positive, it will be Jantuah.

[Autobarn]

It's the fight I'd most like to see Barker in. Jantuah has legit power. Arthur Abraham didn't look so hot v Jantuah and if Barker could impress vs him...

Not everyone's convinced by Barker but I think he's better than Macklin (a fighter I rate) and the likes of Ajetovic, Smith (neither of whom I've been convinced by) and Lee, Duddy etc.

I mean, some said he wasn't accurate enough v Crampton but he picked shots brilliantly vs Bendall. And he was one paced vs Bendall, but used a massive workrate vs Crampton, etc. Bit of a Catch 22 at times. Obviosuly he tries different things out in each fight.

[Dioufy]

I don't mean to be biased because I 'know' him but I believe he's the goods. Against Crampton he boxed beautifully and could've probably stopped him in that 4th if he really wanted to, but he was coming off a longish layoff and wanted rounds, more specifically, 12 of them. The Bendall win looks all the more better now because he's beat Smith, and Barker in that fight looked very good, showed power, accuracy and work rate. Jantuah's a definite step up but Barker's gotta be favourite. I watched Jantuah's last fight and he didn't look right - he's definitely on the slide because a draw was a lucky result for him, he clearly lost for me.

Hopefully if he beats Jantuah then he can move onto Elcock, because McDermott surely won't be able to fight for 6 months with hat cut, so expect Barker v Elcock for around January time. Assuming that Barker wins v Jantuah, which he should.

*winks*

[BigEars]

He could fight Duddy, though, as he's Northern Irish.

VERY much doubt it will happen, though.

Lee was actually born in England so he could fight him too , but neither Lee or Duddy would want to fight for the Commonwealth title .

Barker is a very classy boxer with a lot going for him , however I feel he seriously lacks in the power department and this will hold him back greatly .
I'd love to see him matched with Demers .

[Dioufy]

His power is improving, trust me. I think there's some evidence in that when he put Bendall on his arse in the very first and constantly shook him up. It's not knock out power but it's enough for him to get by, and coupled with his boxing skills, he's awesome.

[Autobarn]

I don't mean to be biased because I 'know' him but I believe he's the goods. Against Crampton he boxed beautifully and could've probably stopped him in that 4th if he really wanted to, but he was coming off a longish layoff and wanted rounds, more specifically, 12 of them. The Bendall win looks all the more better now because he's beat Smith, and Barker in that fight looked very good, showed power, accuracy and work rate. Jantuah's a definite step up but Barker's gotta be favourite. I watched Jantuah's last fight and he didn't look right - he's definitely on the slide because a draw was a lucky result for him, he clearly lost for me.

Hopefully if he beats Jantuah then he can move onto Elcock, because McDermott surely won't be able to fight for 6 months with hat cut, so expect Barker v Elcock for around January time. Assuming that Barker wins v Jantuah, which he should.

*winks*

Elcock wants to get back in action right away following the cut short fight with McDermott. Said a rematch is on the cards sometime but is looking ahead as well. McD won't be healed in time for an immediate rematch. I think enough ppl will want Elcock-McDermott 2 to settle the score for that to happen - maybe later in the year - so that will leave a Barker fight on the backburner for now, IMO.

I read in a recent BN that Mick doesn't want to put Barker in with Elcock any time soon. If McDermott would have beaten Elcock, a British/Commonwealth double title fight would have been more likley, IMO, as they are with different stables.

I'd like to see Barker in with Jantuah, Renan St Juste, Walid Smichet, Daniel Geale & Daniel Dawson.

[Autobarn]

He could fight Duddy, though, as he's Northern Irish.

VERY much doubt it will happen, though.

Lee was actually born in England so he could fight him too , but neither Lee or Duddy would want to fight for the Commonwealth title .

Barker is a very classy boxer with a lot going for him , however I feel he seriously lacks in the power department and this will hold him back greatly .
I'd love to see him matched with Demers .

I think he has power. He nearly had Crampton out of there in the 4th, but the Aussie shut up shop after that. Barker adjusted, throwing flurries to get around the gloves - rather than the hurtful, sharp punches from earlier on.

Vs Bendall, almost every shot was jerking Bendall's head back. Jabs and rights by Barker were terrific. However, with Bendall being a southpaw, he used his right arm to tangle up Barker's left hook. Had Barker been able to sustain left hook-right cross combos, I reckon that fight would have been over in 1/2 the time.

My only worry is the chin as he's been down twice. But he seems to have a better defence nowadays. I'd still be more worried about the chin than the punch, though.

Still, I like Barker's skill and intensity & think he's going a long way.

[Dioufy]

Listen to me, Autobarn. I wouldn't be surprised to see Barker take on and beat Jantuah, and then move onto Elcock in December/January. McDermott then should challenege the winner and whoever wins, should be able to move on to international or European honours. I also fully expect Barker to come through Jantuah, Elcock and McDermott before then kicking Geale's arse for that IBO belt. If that happens, then he's in line for a shot at a Euro title, or perhaps, even world title honours - he's good enough.

*winks again*

Although that chin is a worry as well.

[whiskey]

I know a few that have sparred Barker and they rate him as a very technical boxer, who has the tools to outpoint many of his peers.

Like you say, lack of firepower and chin could be a concern at the very top, but hey everyone has flaws.

Didn't he lose to Andy Lee in the Commonwealth finals ? he was a lot greener then..

[Autobarn]

Listen to me, Autobarn. I wouldn't be surprised to see Barker take on and beat Jantuah, and then move onto Elcock in December/January. McDermott then should challenege the winner and whoever wins, should be able to move on to international or European honours. I also fully expect Barker to come through Jantuah, Elcock and McDermott before then kicking Geale's arse for that IBO belt. If that happens, then he's in line for a shot at a Euro title, or perhaps, even world title honours - he's good enough.

*winks again*

Although that chin is a worry as well.

Sounds very good, that does. I think Elcock would be up for a fight with Barker as he's not had much of a chance to remind ppl that he's the man in Britain.

Richie Woodhall even said that Lockett was the best in the country (!), though he apparently said that to make Gary feel better.

But wouldn't Hennessy a) want to re-do the battle of the midlands and b) keep Barker/Elcock seperate and have 2, rather than 1, champions?

Like the idea of Barker vs Geale, the best of Oz. Could be for the Commonwealth and IBO.

Sounds like a sound plan and you seem well informed when it comes to Barker.

[Dioufy]

I met him and sparred a few rounds with him when I was eleven. He was actually quite a little shit back then but my dad and his uncle keep in touch. I have just watched his career and believe he can go far, and whoever said that he has the tools to outpoint anyone is completely right. I heard Jantuah's name (although I would personally have him in there with Smichet for the Duddy comparison) and Canada a few months ago, so I assume it's still on, but will try to find out a tad bit more. Sky Sports have it as well.

[Autobarn]

I like it that we've got a prospect with proper technical skills. Also, he has a promoter that puts on competitive shows so he'll probably keep on learning.

Barker looked alarmingly vulnerable vs Conroy McIntosh but has looked much more solid defensively since then. We'll have to see re the chin, but the skills and the fitness are impressive.

[Autobarn]

Middleweight is definitely the divison to slip up in, as at the top Pavlik & Abraham are 2 of the biggest hitters p4p. Euro champ Sylvester's a bit heavy handed as well, and prospects like Golovkin & Pirog look very aggressive & both decen Yanks Quillin & Joe Greene look like they can bang a bit. At British level, Elcock is a strong guy with a hurtful body attack. Hopefully Barker can navigate these waters and not get drowned in the deep end. Will be good viewing along the way.

With Barker having a suspect chin, it does make the Jantuah fight very interesting. Really hope that fight happens.

[Dioufy]

I reckon his chin problems were because he was getting caught way to much through a lack of defence more than him having a jaw made of glass. It's got better his defence through time and he's turning into a good little star - he's got loads of options as well, so should be matched right, and I would love for him to become British champ, but like you say, would Hennessy give up Elcock for Barker, because I think Barker easily out points Elcock, and Jantuah, McDermott, although Geale would be his acid test.