Darren Barker to make his debut on ITV4 13 December!!

[Counter-puncher]

you're saying he's overhyped

I'm saying noone is saying he's the next Alan Minter. you know Alan Minter, former world middleweight champion? I'm saying noone i can see is hyping him to that extent. so he isn't that overhyped. didn't think I'd have to explain myself but there you go

[Dioufy]

I think Barker has enough quality to become a world champion, and most definitely a European champion. He's very well schooled and has lots going for him - the two major problems for him are his chin (down a few times already) and his power (I believe he is getting more powerful with every fight) but other than that, he's a very sound and a very good technical boxer. I also get the feeling that he's very much like Calzaghe (obviously lacking some things like the proven chin, speed and confidence in the ring) in the way that he throws his shots and with his footwork. But perhaps it's just because they look similar/have the same build.

[scrap iron]

I am an absolutely massive Barker fan but if it is McKay then this needs to be his last fight before he steps up. He hammered Crampton to 120-108's all round, stopped Bendall (and had him down) and then whitewashed Sharpe (I had it 100-90). Those are decent tests but Barker is quite clearly a step above in terms of class. If he does fight McKay then I have no problem but he really needs to start moving - I hear an eliminator for the British belt against McDermott might happen which would be another decent fight. Surely then there's no point in not facing Elcock (if he beats Macklin like I think he will) - the fight would be easy to make as well with both fighters from the same promoter. I will be very disappointed if Barker isn't the British champion, or hasn't even fought for it this time next year.

Elcock v Barker in August 2009

The only reason why Larry Sharpe faced Darren in August was because the better opponents who were offered the chance to meet Barker turned the job down. Sharpe really was at the bottom of the list and Hennessy Sports genuinely wanted a better opponent. I suspect the same thing may happen again this time. With the greatest to respect to Jason McKay; if he does face Darren on 6 December, I think even Barker will be a little disappointed that a better opponent couldn't be found.

[scrap iron]

I simply cannot understand the big fascination with Darren Barker, what do people see that i cannot. He is a good fighter but nothing special and never will be a world champ unless the division is seriously weak.

I think the reason for Darren's growing fan-base is because he's a friendly guy outside the ring and people seem to like that approachable attitude. Yes, it's debatable if he will become a world champion or not, but both Amir Khan and Andy Lee were labelled future world champions and they have both since been stopped. Is Darren any more hyped then those two were?

[scrap iron]

Looks like we are in for a great night and lets hope its a HUGE success on ITV.

Damn right............good luck Darren and Carl!!!!

[Dioufy]

I am an absolutely massive Barker fan but if it is McKay then this needs to be his last fight before he steps up. He hammered Crampton to 120-108's all round, stopped Bendall (and had him down) and then whitewashed Sharpe (I had it 100-90). Those are decent tests but Barker is quite clearly a step above in terms of class. If he does fight McKay then I have no problem but he really needs to start moving - I hear an eliminator for the British belt against McDermott might happen which would be another decent fight. Surely then there's no point in not facing Elcock (if he beats Macklin like I think he will) - the fight would be easy to make as well with both fighters from the same promoter. I will be very disappointed if Barker isn't the British champion, or hasn't even fought for it this time next year.

Elcock v Barker in August 2009

The only reason why Larry Sharpe faced Darren in August was because the better opponents who were offered the chance to meet Barker turned the job down. Sharpe really was at the bottom of the list and Hennessy Sports genuinely wanted a better opponent. I suspect the same thing may happen again this time. With the greatest to respect to Jason McKay; if he does face Darren on 6 December, I think even Barker will be a little disappointed that a better opponent couldn't be found.

I don't doubt that they did want a better opponent than Sharpe. My gripe is, Hennessy should be able to get better. I understand it this time as Barker himself has been brought in quite late, but he doesn't want to end up like Witter or Froch.

Strike whilst the boy is in shit-hot form.

[salvador]

is it that big a fascination tho teddy?

i mean come on its not like he is being hyped on here as much as Haye, for example.

or even Froch who hasn't got to world title level yet.

perhaps there is more focus on barker than (say) Macklin or Smith, but IMO thats warrented as he's that bit better than both of them potential-wise.

Hype and Haye, Haye lives up to the Hype no doubt about it. Barker is average at best.

Average at best? A bit harsh that Teddy, Barker looks a real classy prospect.

[scrap iron]

I am an absolutely massive Barker fan but if it is McKay then this needs to be his last fight before he steps up. He hammered Crampton to 120-108's all round, stopped Bendall (and had him down) and then whitewashed Sharpe (I had it 100-90). Those are decent tests but Barker is quite clearly a step above in terms of class. If he does fight McKay then I have no problem but he really needs to start moving - I hear an eliminator for the British belt against McDermott might happen which would be another decent fight. Surely then there's no point in not facing Elcock (if he beats Macklin like I think he will) - the fight would be easy to make as well with both fighters from the same promoter. I will be very disappointed if Barker isn't the British champion, or hasn't even fought for it this time next year.

Elcock v Barker in August 2009

The only reason why Larry Sharpe faced Darren in August was because the better opponents who were offered the chance to meet Barker turned the job down. Sharpe really was at the bottom of the list and Hennessy Sports genuinely wanted a better opponent. I suspect the same thing may happen again this time. With the greatest to respect to Jason McKay; if he does face Darren on 6 December, I think even Barker will be a little disappointed that a better opponent couldn't be found.

I don't doubt that they did want a better opponent than Sharpe. My gripe is, Hennessy should be able to get better. I understand it this time as Barker himself has been brought in quite late, but he doesn't want to end up like Witter or Froch.

Strike whilst the boy is in shit-hot form.

In Mick Hennessy's defence he at least does TRY to get good opponents in for his fighters. Only the other weekend he tried to get Prizefighter winner Michael Lomax and Ajose Oluesgun in to face Junior Witter on the Danny Williams undercard, both turned it down. This year he has tried to make match-ups with Jermain Taylor and Denis Inkin for Carl Froch, both ducked The Cobra. He's got two cracks at the EBU title for Jon Thaxton in the space of just six months and he famously (or infamously) brought Roman Karmazin over to London to square off with David Walker a few years ago. I admit Hennessy may not always have the best luck getting the right opponent, but at least the intentions are there. If Darren Barker was a allegedly fighter, Larry Sharpe and Jason MacKay would be the norm to expect.

[Coco]

I always find paying the right money almost guarantees the opponent you want

[Dioufy]

Scrap Iron,

It's ultimately his inability to get these opponents though. I understand and appreciate that he does do his best in trying to get good boxers to give give his fighters a tough test, but almost most of the big names turn him down - I can only assume because of money. I'm not saying he should be with a different promoter, especially that arsehole you named but surely making matches against Elcock and McDermott won't be hard because they are with Hennessy too. But like I have said, I am happy with the boy's progress thus far but I do expect him to have fought, and probably won the British title this time next year - if he hasn't then that's a travesty.

Let's hope Elcock beats Macklin to set up this amazing fight, hopefully.

[scrap iron]

Scrap Iron,

It's ultimately his inability to get these opponents though. I understand and appreciate that he does do his best in trying to get good boxers to give give his fighters a tough test, but almost most of the big names turn him down - I can only assume because of money. I'm not saying he should be with a different promoter, especially that arsehole you named but surely making matches against Elcock and McDermott won't be hard because they are with Hennessy too. But like I have said, I am happy with the boy's progress thus far but I do expect him to have fought, and probably won the British title this time next year - if he hasn't then that's a travesty.

Let's hope Elcock beats Macklin to set up this amazing fight, hopefully.

Hopefully being backed by ITV will give Hennessy more money to play with then what Sky Sports offered. Having said that I imagine it wasn't cheap bringing over Vivian Harris last year especially to a small venue like the Doncaster Dome. In fact I would be interested to know what sort of purses Junior Witter was on when he was reigning WBC champion. Does anyone know?

:??

[Dioufy]

I haven't see the McIntosh fight and knockdowns - does anyone know where I can watch it, please?

[Chambers2]

Hennessy puts on competive fights on proper shows and IMO he's got excellent promoting ethics, he always looks to give value for money to the fans and is not happy 'cashcowing' his fighters to 38-0 without a decent test. He's had way more than his fair share of bad luck over the years and he's no doubt been the victim of some spiteful fellow promoters tactics, at the expense of Hennessy promotions and more importantly British boxing.

I think Hennessy has turned a corner with the ITV deal (you shouldn't have blew that one Frankie) and I can see him going on from strength to strength, but he desperately needs a BIG win from Frochy on December 6th, he needs to get Junior back in action and I think Barker is a top quality boxer who'll do well, I reckon that BIG fight is just round the corner and he's in a cracking UK division for some decent fights. Not to mention Murray and Thaxton who are also in a very competitive division

If there's anything in the £5m offer to Joey C then it doesn't look like Micks happy to canter along either. Good Luck Mick and co.

[Spud]

I think Barker has enough quality to become a world champion.

I hope you are right - but I have not been overly impressed so far. I really do hope Barker comes through into world class or certainly European Class bracket because British Boxing needs more fighters coming through.

[Dioufy]

Can I ask which fights you weren't impressed by?

[Spud]

Can I ask which fights you weren't impressed by?

Perhaps I am being unfair but the Conroy McIntosh fight springs to mind. What will happen to Darren when he is tapped on the whiskers at world level - I am not slating the lad - I just want to see a couple more tests before I make my own judgement of him

[Dioufy]

As I have stated previously in this thread, I haven't seen the McIntosh fight. Although I have seen the Crampton, Bendall and Sharpe fights and thus far he hasn't done too much wrong. But you're right, he certainly needs a few bigger tests.

[scrap iron]

Can I ask which fights you weren't impressed by?

Perhaps I am being unfair but the Conroy McIntosh fight springs to mind. What will happen to Darren when he is tapped on the whiskers at world level - I am not slating the lad - I just want to see a couple more tests before I make my own judgement of him

Spud,

Why does no-one ever mention the fact that Paul Smith was knocked down by McIntosh in the fight before Barker? Nobody ever accuses Smith of being chinny. At least Barker went on to stop McIntosh, Smith had to settle for points.

[leforge]

So ITV 4 following week its looks v Mckay.

[scrap iron]

So ITV 4 following week its looks v Mckay.

Looks like Darren Barker will replace the John Murray's fight against Lee McAllister. There's talk Murray may now defend against McAllister on 17 January if he recovers from his injuries in time!

[Chambers2]

So ITV 4 following week its looks v Mckay.

Looks like Darren Barker will replace the John Murray's fight against Lee McAllister. There's talk Murray may now defend against McAllister on 17 January if he recovers from his injuries in time!

Any ideas how he picked up the injuries? Were the 'got smacked by a bouncer' rumours true?

[scrap iron]

So ITV 4 following week its looks v Mckay.

Looks like Darren Barker will replace the John Murray's fight against Lee McAllister. There's talk Murray may now defend against McAllister on 17 January if he recovers from his injuries in time!

Any ideas how he picked up the injuries? Were the 'got smacked by a bouncer' rumours true?

Well certainly no official explanation has been given, but I do know John has been getting a reputation for going out on the piss around town in recent months. I'm prepared to give John the benefit of the doubt on the "smacked by a bouncer" rumours and hope this near to a fight he wouldn't be boozing it up.

[Spud]

Can I ask which fights you weren't impressed by?

Perhaps I am being unfair but the Conroy McIntosh fight springs to mind. What will happen to Darren when he is tapped on the whiskers at world level - I am not slating the lad - I just want to see a couple more tests before I make my own judgement of him

Spud,

Why does no-one ever mention the fact that Paul Smith was knocked down by McIntosh in the fight before Barker? Nobody ever accuses Smith of being chinny. At least Barker went on to stop McIntosh, Smith had to settle for points.

Very good point mate - Like I stated before - I have not seen enough of Darren to make such lofty judgements as others have with regards to European and World level honours - I hope he gets that far as I am sure Hennessy does as well.

For the first time ever I am looking at Hennessy Sports for the next star coming trhough - my own feelings are his stable is not as strong as I first thought - Junior Witter has lost and is making a comeback but it will be tough positioning him into big fights due to his marketability in that people do not want to give him that chance - look how long it took to get that World title shot - we then have John Murray - what a star that lad could be - I will always say it was a mistake leaving Steve Wood - and now reports of him enjoying himself seriously concern me - perhaps these reports are completely unfounded and the lad will prove everyone wrong - but I honestly believe he has not progressed as his initial promise indicated that he would.

Hennessy always puts on thoroughly decent and value for money shows - but I honestly believe he needs a couple more fighters to back up his top of the bill Froch.

I am sure we will see Hennessy make a shrewd signing or two

[salvador]

John Murray looked sensational in beating Lee Meager, I hope the Lee McAllister fight can be rearranged soon and he doesn't lose his title in the way Kevin McIntyre did.

[Spud]

John Murray looked sensational in beating Lee Meager, I hope the Lee McAllister fight can be rearranged soon and he doesn't lose his title in the way Kevin McIntyre did.

I will concede with you there concerning Murrays performance against Meager - but - does John Murray live the life of a boxer - or do the trappings of life tempt out of the the necessary discipline it will take to go onto European and world level?