"DAZZLING" DARREN BARKER 15/08/2008 Poster

[Autobarn]

And if it does work out, he'll have had a proper learning curve because the domestic, Commonwealth and Euro scenes are very competitive. There probably won't be any shortcuts & nonsense fights like we get from other promoters.

Interesting that Hennessy has had 2 fighters take on Abraham. After Eastman & Elcock. Maybe Barker will end up being the 3rd.

I wonder, who will televise Barker's Canadian fight? Will it be live, etc?

Good to see that the defence has tightened up and that he's physically/technically maturing.

[Dioufy]

I am pretty sure Sky are showing it at around 3am, along with a lad called Jason DeLaronde and that's it. It's Friday Fight Night but at stupid o'clock in the morning - that's what Barker's people are saying.

[fatton]

No way will Barker fight Jantuah. Would love to see it but Hennessy won't take that kind of risk. I've my doubts about Barkers phsical strength and ability to mix it at the highest levels at middle. I think he lacks the power to keep the really top guys off him and I think even Jantuah would probably be able to get inside, rough him up and out muscle him and probably even stop him late on.

Don't get me wrong I think Barker has a lot going for him in terms of ability and a decent workrate but I think that will only take him as far as British level, above that he'll be found out by naturally stronger men. I presume Barker must spar Froch quite a bit, I'd be interested to see a few of those sparring sessions.

[Autobarn]

Fatton, can you clarify that "No way will Barker fight Jantuah"?

Do you mean Barker doesn't want the fight?
Or that Hennessy won't risk Barker vs Jantuah?
That Jantuah won't take the fight?
That you know Barker is fighting someone different?

[fatton]

Do you mean Barker doesn't want the fight? - I dont know I haven't asked him.

Or that Hennessy won't risk Barker vs Jantuah? - Yes, why would he risk getting one of his best propsects beaten by a dangerman liked Jantuah on a pretty obscure card in
Canada for a Commonwealth title. Jantuah is the kind of guy you pick for a world title defence....when your stuck, not a commonwealth title defence. He's in the "who the f' needs em" club.

That Jantuah won't take the fight? - Of course Jantuah would have it, assuming the money was even half decent, there isn't exactly a queue of fighters outside his door looking to take him on.

That you know Barker is fighting someone different? - My guess is it makes far more sense in terms of ticket sales etc. for Barker to fight a popular but limited Canadian boxer, get a handy win and sod off home again.

[Maelstrom]

Do you mean Barker doesn't want the fight? - I dont know I haven't asked him.

Or that Hennessy won't risk Barker vs Jantuah? - Yes, why would he risk getting one of his best propsects beaten by a dangerman liked Jantuah on a pretty obscure card in
Canada for a Commonwealth title. Jantuah is the kind of guy you pick for a world title defence....when your stuck, not a commonwealth title defence. He's in the "who the f' needs em" club.

That Jantuah won't take the fight? - Of course Jantuah would have it, assuming the money was even half decent, there isn't exactly a queue of fighters outside his door looking to take him on.

That you know Barker is fighting someone different? - My guess is it makes far more sense in terms of ticket sales etc. for Barker to fight a popular but limited Canadian boxer, get a handy win and sod off home again.

Excellent post... bang on the money.

Dioufy - I think you are too close to the situation.

[charlieb]

When I first saw Barker fight, I thought 'why haven't I heard about this guy before?', he looked special. I had the same feeling when I first saw Haye fight. I cant say the same about many other brit prospects, recent past or present.

Obviously the comp was fodder but there was something about them. I think a fight against Jantuah would be a ballsy move, a calculated risk that could take him to the next stage of his career. Whether or not it happens is probably down to the faith his people have in his readiness. I hope they go for it, I think he could be a star.

[Autobarn]

Do you mean Barker doesn't want the fight? - I dont know I haven't asked him.

Or that Hennessy won't risk Barker vs Jantuah? - Yes, why would he risk getting one of his best propsects beaten by a dangerman liked Jantuah on a pretty obscure card in
Canada for a Commonwealth title. Jantuah is the kind of guy you pick for a world title defence....when your stuck, not a commonwealth title defence. He's in the "who the f' needs em" club.

That Jantuah won't take the fight? - Of course Jantuah would have it, assuming the money was even half decent, there isn't exactly a queue of fighters outside his door looking to take him on.

That you know Barker is fighting someone different? - My guess is it makes far more sense in terms of ticket sales etc. for Barker to fight a popular but limited Canadian boxer, get a handy win and sod off home again.

Excellent post... bang on the money.

Dioufy - I think you are too close to the situation.

Brilliant, stupendous, awesome post - if Barker doesn't fight Jantauh,

I don't think Mick H is the kind of promoter to mention an opponent to get ppl excited and then choosing someone else. That bait and switch technique is more of a Frank W thing. I can't speak for Hennessy, but he seems to really rate his fighter & wants to build Barker based on 1 or 2 comments of his. If you look at the extreme side of the fights he's put on - Dave Walker-Roman Karmazin - you'd think he isn't scared of risking his fighters.

If he thinks Barker can beat Jantuah at this stage, why not go for it? Jantuah is dangerous but on the slide, having been held to a draw in his last fight. PPl will take notice of Barker, the fight will keep Barker sensible as Kofi is a banger, and it could be a valuable learning experience.

Looking at Froch, he has progressed a tad too slowly so these are the sort of fights to build a fighter more quickly (and Barker had a lot of time off recently) in Darren's case.

Sure, would make sense for a local fighter but didn't Renan St Juste turn the fight down?


I agree charlieb, Barker does have that intensity and ring presence about him.

[fatton]

I don't think Mick H is the kind of promoter to mention an opponent to get ppl excited and then choosing someone else.

Where has Hennessy mentioned Jantuah? Only person I've heard mention it is Dioufy on here.

I'd love to see Barker in with Jantuah as it would be a great scrap but a pretty pointless one at this stage in his career. Mick has good connections with the sanctioning bodies so he can probably get Barker a decent rating anyway whoever he beats in his next few fights. I agree he needs to be stepped up in terms of the level of the opposition but what's to be gained by fighting and even beating Jantuah, a clap on the back from hardcore boxing fans who know how decent and dangerous Jantuah is and a "hard luck but credit to you for getting in there with him" if Jantauh beats him.

In my opinion it's too much of a risk to fight someone like Jantuah and I don't see what's "calculated" about it. It might not suit us as boxing fans but ultimately pro boxing is a buisness and if you look at that fight coldly it just doesn't make business sense.

[Dioufy]

Have some faith guys, Jantuah is here.

[Autobarn]

I don't think Mick H is the kind of promoter to mention an opponent to get ppl excited and then choosing someone else.

Where has Hennessy mentioned Jantuah? Only person I've heard mention it is Dioufy on here.

I'd love to see Barker in with Jantuah as it would be a great scrap but a pretty pointless one at this stage in his career. Mick has good connections with the sanctioning bodies so he can probably get Barker a decent rating anyway whoever he beats in his next few fights. I agree he needs to be stepped up in terms of the level of the opposition but what's to be gained by fighting and even beating Jantuah, a clap on the back from hardcore boxing fans who know how decent and dangerous Jantuah is and a "hard luck but credit to you for getting in there with him" if Jantauh beats him.

In my opinion it's too much of a risk to fight someone like Jantuah and I don't see what's "calculated" about it. It might not suit us as boxing fans but ultimately pro boxing is a buisness and if you look at that fight coldly it just doesn't make business sense.

Let's see, the purpose would be to build and develop Barker as a fighter, not just to buy him an easy ranking.

[fatton]

I don't think Mick H is the kind of promoter to mention an opponent to get ppl excited and then choosing someone else.

Where has Hennessy mentioned Jantuah? Only person I've heard mention it is Dioufy on here.

I'd love to see Barker in with Jantuah as it would be a great scrap but a pretty pointless one at this stage in his career. Mick has good connections with the sanctioning bodies so he can probably get Barker a decent rating anyway whoever he beats in his next few fights. I agree he needs to be stepped up in terms of the level of the opposition but what's to be gained by fighting and even beating Jantuah, a clap on the back from hardcore boxing fans who know how decent and dangerous Jantuah is and a "hard luck but credit to you for getting in there with him" if Jantauh beats him.

In my opinion it's too much of a risk to fight someone like Jantuah and I don't see what's "calculated" about it. It might not suit us as boxing fans but ultimately pro boxing is a buisness and if you look at that fight coldly it just doesn't make business sense.

Let's see, the purpose would be to build and develop Barker as a fighter, not just to buy him an easy ranking.

Agreed but building and developing a fighter doesn't mean taking risky fights just for the hell of it. There are lower risk opponents out there who can help develop aspects of Barkers game without putting him in with a strong, durable, puncher in what is essentially a pretty meaningless outing.

Here's Jantuah destroying Rubio (the man mentioned as the next challenger for Kelly Pavlik) in 21 seconds - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oi5uqwc0m4

[Autobarn]

Sure Jantuah is dangerous. His whiole reputation hinges on that Rubio fight. He has lost to Ouma and Abraham and is somewhat jaded now though.

I just hope Barker's next challenger is a decent fighter that he'll learn something against. Whether it's Jantuah, St Juste or someone who's expected to provide a test.

How come Hennessy is promoting in Canada, anyway?

[Boxing Nut]

Bonded Champ
By Murray Greig – EDMONTON SUN – Tuesday, July 1, 2008

When somebody asked undefeated Commonwealth middleweight champ Darren Barker how he wanted his tea yesterday, I half expected him to say: "Shaken, not stirred."
Not only does the personable puncher from Barnet, England, look and talk like a young James Bond, he exudes the same understated cool as Her Majesty's devoted Agent 007.
The fact that the British press has nicknamed him "Dazzling" doesn't hurt, either.
Barker will make his North American debut at the River Cree Resort & Casino on Aug. 15 when he puts both his Commonwealth title and a perfect record (17-0) on the line against an as-yet unsigned challenger.
"I'm thrilled to be making my North American debut in Edmonton for a lot of reasons - not the least of which is because I have a tremendous respect for Canadian fighters and their reputation around the globe," said Barker, who turned pro after striking gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

"To be headlining a card that also includes some of the best young guns in Canada is very special for me. I don't care who they put in front of me to fight; I'll put on a show."
Those 'young guns' include the likes of Edmontonians Trevor Moyah, Jason De Laronde and Nick Penner, along with Canadian bantamweight champ Andrew Singh Kooner of Toronto.
Promoted by London-based Hennessy Sports in association with the River Cree Resort, the card will be televised live across Canada on Super Channel, with a live satellite feed to Europe.
In his first defence of the Commonwealth crown in February, Barker KO'd former IBO world title challenger Steven Bendall (28-3) in seven rounds.
"The knockouts are starting to come," said Barker, who has nine stoppages on his ledger.
"My style is constantly evolving, as shown by the fact that three of my last four fights have ended in KOs.
"When I first turned pro a lot of people said I wouldn't make it because my style was too 'amateurish,' but good fighters learn to adjust and adapt. That's what I'm doing."
Those adjustments have been on both sides of the ropes.
In December 2006, Barker's 19-year-old brother Gary, who had just been named the U.K.'s amateur fighter of the year, was killed in an auto accident.
The champ took a nine-month break from boxing to come to grips with his family's tragedy.
"I just wanted to collect my thoughts on life in general ... how precious it is, and how we've got to live it to the fullest," he said.
"When I got back into the ring, I was re-energized. It was like a switch came on, telling me 'This is what's been missing.' Now, with every fight, I think of Gary. Through my success, he can live on."
Barker, who trains fulltime in London, said he plans to return to Edmonton two weeks before the Aug.15 card and hopes to get in some sparring with local fighters, including De Laronde and Moyah.


http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Other ... 6-sun.html

[scrap iron]

Darren Barker is one of the best prospects in Europe and I think boxing abroad will be a great experience for him.

[Autobarn]

The Canadians have gained a real appetite for boxing of recent, with world title triumphs of Bute, Alcine & Molitor. Perhaps Canada is a good market to break into.

[WildWaylon]

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.

Have to agree, its a very tough division indeed. Its interesting but it makes you wonder how he will cope in the deep waters with the big fish and it wont be too long now before we find out. Thought I would continue your watery analogy.

[scrap iron]

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..

The Commonwealth games were in Manchester in 2002 and Darren didn't lose to anyone. He won the gold medal.

[SticknMove]

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..

The Commonwealth games were in Manchester in 2002 and Darren didn't lose to anyone. He won the gold medal.

Quite right.

Barker won LWW Gold beating an Ugandan in the Final.

Anyway Andy Lee comes from, and boxed out of, the Irish Republic which isn't part of the Commonwealth and are not represented. Only Northern Irish boxers are eligible to box at the Commonwealth Games.

[scrap iron]

A couple of doubts have been raised concerning Darren and these seem to be his power and his chin. But this would be my take on those two things.........

POWER; Since coming back from his 10 month lay-off Darren has boxed 22 rounds (Barton, Crampton and Bendall respectively) and he hasn't lost a single round. So if you're boxing an opponent and you're winning every single round does it really matter if you're not knocking them out cold? Sure power is a blessing, but last month Gary Lockett found out only having power as your one strength will get you exposed at world level. Besides if Barker was a one punch knockout wonder would we still see him able to produce such a high work-rate over 12 rounds? I think not. As Barker fills into the middleweight division more, we will see his power increase. But Darren is the sort of highly skilled boxer who doesn't need a one punch "get out of jail card" as he is rarely in a fight where he needs a knock-out to win.

CHIN; Even i have to admit Barker was badly hurt against Conroy McIntosh. But I was encouraged by the amount of ring savvy Darren displayed by grabbing hold of McIntosh, tying him up, letting him punch himself out and then stopping him 5 rounds later. Against Paul Samuels he wasn't really hurt at all as he had one foot off the canvas when he was hit by that shot and his glove only touched the canvas for a spilt second showing he was more off balance then hurt. The fact Barker stopped him in the same round proves that. Let's not forget David Haye was floored against a super-middleweight at the same stage of his career and no-one knocks Haye anymore. Oscar De La Hoya was also floored twice before he won his first world title, but how often do you see Oscar on the floor now?

Darren Barker; Future World Champion!

I really hope Sky Sports do televise this live, it will be a massive shout if they do as they tend to only broadcast fights from overseas if there is a world title involved. So I really hope they don't miss out on showing Darren's North American debut. Could Dioufy confirm if this fight is going to be shown in the UK please?

[Autobarn]

Just watched Abraham v Jantuah again.

Jantuah has one heck of a hard head.

Kofi took sickening shots over the bout's 2nd half. He took maybe 10 shots that would have flattened almost anyone for the count. Abraham looked more upset that his shots weren't having any effect, than Jantuah did from taking heavy kitchen sink barrages.

He can bang as well, at least down at light middle. Dangerous fight for Barker but it would be a great test of his boxing abilities and concentration.

[Dioufy]

Friday Fight Night will be on at 2am or 3am when Barker fights.

[Max Molyneux]

Friday Fight Night will be on at 2am or 3am when Barker fights.

Do sky repeat there Friday Fight Nights?

Whats he fighting In Canada for anyway?

[Dioufy]

It is usually on at 9pm or 10pm I think but because Barker is fighting, they're putting it on later - not sure if it's live or not.

[Wales]

Still hearing Kofi's name Dioufy?