Barker v Macklin off!!!!!

[GlobalBox]

Makes you wonder if Barker fancies this....

He was poor last time out and maybe his team think its a fight or two too soon.

Think last time was a wake up call for him, not sure he "did not fancy it" but self-doubts about the fight coupled with the injury have presumably brought this decision about. The only thing I find disappointing other than losing the fight is that it was common knowledge 4 weeks ago and yet still the people in the right places denied it.

We were all getting told what a bunch of cocks we were for dissing the fight and spreading rumours and low and behold the sodding thing is off.

People are far to quick to run the guys down on here but quite often the truth is in our domain as we spend so much time living and breathing the sport, things get heard, not always right I know but more often than not there is some meat on the bones.

Still a shame though

[Tommy Gunn13]

Makes you wonder if Barker fancies this....

He was poor last time out and maybe his team think its a fight or two too soon.

Im sure Barker fancies the fight
injuries do happen in this game,just a shame as this was the fight of the card ...

[DavidPayne]

I still dont see Chisora v Sexton coming off either.

The only tiny thing I can offer is....Wayne 'Golden Boot' Elcock hasn't been called.

[Autobarn]

A genuine shame. I was fortunate enough to speak to Darren a few weeks ago now and he seemed so up for the fight so I don't doubt his injury is legit.

I hope they can find a replacement. It's going to be relatively short notice but I'd personally be delighted if Martin Murray got the gig. Nice kid, good fighter, hungry, and far better than what he showed last time out.

Let's wait and see. It's still a good bill but undoubtedly Macklin-Barker was the standout fight.

i'd like to see that happen, martin murray. but i doubt there's anything to gain in this fight for macklin.

[doctorboxing]

It won't be Craig McEwan - he is apparently fighting December 11th in the UK.

[Dioufy]

A small part of me believes Barker wants no part of Macklin.

[Counter-puncher]

a small part of dioufy just died, lads, be nice to him today

[Dioufy]

a small part of dioufy just died, lads, be nice to him today

I quite literally have no come back.

[Counter-puncher]

you think I'm turning joyous celebratory cartwheels over here?

[Josh1111]

I'm gutted, this promised to be the best fight of the night and one of the main reasons i bought a ticket

[DavidPayne]

Did Yul Brinner ever make Magnificent 4 and half?

[DavidPayne]

Has anyone heard any noise from noisey Chisora?

Does Murat even know he's meant to be fighting?

Tip offs about Barker's withdrawal are three weeks old. Never smoke without fire.

[forcefraser]

The headliner being off is a massive blow for this bill and if any of Brook-Jennings, Sexton-Chisora or Cleverly-Murat join Macklin-Barker then the whole bill will flop on PPV.

Cleverly-Murat is my top tip for a fight that doesn't happen. Any takers?

I`ve had that feeling for weeks now.

It just doesn`t sit well with a top German prospect coming over to the UK to fight. Unless they feel Cleverly is an easy target, I just don`t see the sense in it.

The german fighters do very nicely out of staying at home and fighting in front of huge crowds with plenty of TV exposure, so why would someone like Murat risk it?

[HomeOfBritishBoxing]

He wont need that EBU title around his waist while getting his hip done in surgery. If he has any class he will vacate.

He won't vacate I Bet!

If he doesnt vacate it will hard to believe that injury was genuine and not a blatant duck of macklin in hope of an easier defence or two..

no if he does vacate then i think that looks more suspect...the fight will be made soon hopefully.

[chinny]

Was reading an extended Barker interview in BN this morning where he angrily denounces all the injury rumours!

[mickey1975]

Was reading an extended Barker interview in BN this morning where he angrily denounces all the injury rumours!

I was!It was ridiculous.

[Dioufy]

I have lost a little respect for Barker because of this; not because he's 'injured' but because he did vehemently deny an such rumour. I also heard from McGuigan or Watt that Barker might have wanted to fight put back because he hadn't trained properly.

[Matt W]

IMO this shouldn't have been PPV in the first place and it definitely shouldn't be now. PPV should be for 'event' fights that appeal to the casual fan. A bill that comprises good 50-50 domestic and continental fights should be the sport's bread and butter, not a privilege that we should be expected to pay extra for. Takes the piss out of fans I reckon.

[DavidPayne]

This was going to be PPV?

Why.....not a single world champion on the bill?

[earsjohn]

This has to be cancelled as a PPV and broadcast as a normal Saturday Night fights now. I can't see many casual fans forking out £15 to watch a bunch of fighters they've never heard of. (with all due respect to some very good prospects, but Cleverly, Brook, Jennings, Chisora and Sexton could walk unnoticed down most high streets). James DeGale is arguably the biggest "name" on the card and I can't see him walking over Carl Dilks convincing too many people to stump up.

I've not missed a boxing PPV in about 5 years, but I am very unlikely to pay for this now. They are all fights I want to see, but given the choice of watching live for £15 or waiting a few hours and watching on a Youtube, etc, I know which route I'm taking.

If the PPV numbers don't stack up, what chance is there of the whole card being pulled?

[dondada]

Too true - definitely not PPV worthy. One has to draw a line in the sand somewhere.

[Adamj1987]

Too true - definitely not PPV worthy. One has to draw a line in the sand somewhere.

indeed it needs to be or where will it end? john murry on PPV defending his ebu belt?

[leforge]

If billed pulled as ppv then it be a big blow to the promotor!

[markpacy]

It's still going to go ahead as PPV guys.

No way Warren pulls this. Its been brewing for a long time and the fights are set for the past few weeks.

[REAL_DEAL]

If sky also add the Mosley bill (undercard is good) then it will be worth it.