Matchroom working on Martinez-Barker for October

[johnswan1]

But what is wrong with him going straight for the Number 1 guy? Is losing to the number 1 guy (given how little hope he has of winning apparently) significantly worse than beating, say, Sylvester and Lee and then losing to Martinez? I just don't get the logic. If he's fit, hungry and wants the fight then bloody well go for it. Your argument that he should go for another belt holder helps support the ABC's who insist on divvying up their titles to the extent there are now at least 7 guys calling themselves Middleweight Champion of the World (you missed Hassan N'Jikams WBA Interim title and Martinez is the WBC Diamond Belt holder as well as the Ring Magazine Champ).

The difference is if he beats the likes of Lee and Sylvester then he is proven at a world level where at the moment he is proven at European level,and entitled to a crack then.

So a victory over, say, Andy Lee or Sebastien Sylvester would move Darren up one of these intangible levels? By that reckoning, Andy Lee is already closer to the Martinez level so surely he should be looking for a fight with Martinez rather than lowering himself to fight a no-hoper like Barker?

So do you think every fighter should be looking for a world title shot on his pro debut given you have such little regard towards working up to a title shot by building up experience against increasingly difficult opponents?

[earsjohn]

The difference is if he beats the likes of Lee and Sylvester then he is proven at a world level where at the moment he is proven at European level,and entitled to a crack then.

So a victory over, say, Andy Lee or Sebastien Sylvester would move Darren up one of these intangible levels? By that reckoning, Andy Lee is already closer to the Martinez level so surely he should be looking for a fight with Martinez rather than lowering himself to fight a no-hoper like Barker?

So do you think every fighter should be looking for a world title shot on his pro debut given you have such little regard towards working up to a title shot by building up experience against increasingly difficult opponents?

Oh yes because there's no difference between a fighter on his debut and one who has already won the Southern Area, Commonwealth, British and European title (twice). There are hundreds of examples of "less deserving" fighters entering world title fights than Darren Barker.

The irony is that Barker has done more to earn a shot at Martinez than Martinez had done to earn a shot at Pavlik.

[johnswan1]

Don't underestimate the gulf in class between European level and P4P top five level.

[Poncey]

I'd love to see this in the UK, I would love Barker to pull it off but I would go to this one primarily to see Martinez in action.

I would also like to see Darren pull him off.

[potnoodle]

I think it's a great fight. Barker should go for it. He's undefeated and looking good. The fight on the 23rd of July will show whether or not he's ready. I.M.O he is. A good training camp with no injuries and we could have another world champion.

[chinny]

Can't criticise Barker if he takes it but it will most likely turn out like:

JCC v Holligan
Winky v Bingham
Cotto v Jennings
Pavlik v Lockett

[Final round]

Can't criticise Barker if he takes it but it will most likely turn out like:

JCC v Holligan
Winky v Bingham
Cotto v Jennings
Pavlik v Lockett

Elcock v Abraham

[Lenny]

I like Darren he's a good boxer but where is the power to keep Martinez at bay we saw against Dzinziruk how a well schooled but not overly strong boxer does against him.

This. I admire them for going for the number 1 but Martinez is a long way ahead of anything Barker has faced before. It's way too big a leap imo

[Re-up Gang]

Barker is talented and will give a good account of himself and if he sticks to the correct game plan i think it will be close but martinez still winning clear.

Pirog would stop barker as i think pirog style contrary to whatthe poster mentioend above, is terible for berker as he is an inconventional stalker.

martinez will wantto box and i love dzindziruk, but he opened up too much against martinez and didnt have teh appropriate footwork, which barker did, however barker does not have dzindziruk jabs. but better footwork and better speed.
interesting fight...

[youngrell]

I agree with earsjohn, why the negativity? If Barker puts up a good showing in losing it could land him far bigger fights in future with the other top guys than if he attempted to build up through the top 10 and lost to one of the other fringe contenders.

I say if the opportunity is there, go for it. No shame in losing to Martinez, so unless he gets badly beaten and suffers with his confidence in future, then its win win for him.

Good luck Daz

[Camcas]

This will be in US if it happens, Barker said on twitter he is hungry and up for the fight

[wesley05]

Great news if this can be made.

Realistically it's going to be very hard for him but it's a brilliant opportunity. If he loses he'll learn far more than staying at European level waiting for a weak champion.

x2

[Chambers2]

Martinez is in the top 5 or so P4P at the moment IMO, it's a MASSIVE step for Barker and a good chance to get his name in the mix even if he loses

[jamesmcdonnell]

Or ask Ricky Burns what going in with someone called Martinez who is a huge favourite when you have supposedly no chance can do for you.

I really don't get this criticism. Barker has been at Euro level for a while, and had he not had to take so much time out he could well be "ready" for a world level fight. If Macklin can fight Sturm and not get criticised then why shouldn't Barker go after the biggest man in the division. It wasn't long ago that going after "the man" at a weight class was considered the only way to get credit, now it seems that more kudos is placed on going after a weaker champion in order to get a belt rather than trying to prove oneself alongside the elite.

The only belt Martinez has is the Ring Magazine belt. He's also ranked no.2 P4P in the world by The Ring. Other beltholders he could go after are:

Felix Sturm - WBA Super
Gennady Golovkin - WBA Regular
Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. - WBC
Daniel Geale - IBF
Dmitry Pirog - WBO

Would it really be so difficult getting a fight against one of these guys? We all want Barker to do well, but Martinez is not only the best in the division, but one of the best in boxing. Barker needs to take on a couple of top ten contenders (see below) before he should be going after somebody like Martinez. Of course he could give a good showing and it may raise his profile and lead to better things, but his chances of winning would be extremely slim. Outside of Martinez I wouldn't rule him out against any of the others.

Top 10 Middleweights

1 Sergio Gabriel Martinez
2 Felix Sturm
3 Daniel Geale
4 Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam
5 Dmitry Pirog
6 Andy Lee
7 Marco Antonio Rubio
8 Sebastian Sylvester
9 Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
10 Matthew Macklin

But what is wrong with him going straight for the Number 1 guy? Is losing to the number 1 guy (given how little hope he has of winning apparently) significantly worse than beating, say, Sylvester and Lee and then losing to Martinez? I just don't get the logic. If he's fit, hungry and wants the fight then bloody well go for it. Your argument that he should go for another belt holder helps support the ABC's who insist on divvying up their titles to the extent there are now at least 7 guys calling themselves Middleweight Champion of the World (you missed Hassan N'Jikams WBA Interim title and Martinez is the WBC Diamond Belt holder as well as the Ring Magazine Champ).

Depends how bad a battering he takes really. Getting these shots at the wrong point in a fighters career can harm their prospects, and shorten their career. The skill and experience gap here is gargantuan.

[Tko1980]

Would much rather see barker v Martinez than burns v cook!
Sick of fighters/ promoter looking for easy touches, weak champs and moody defences! Even if he did lose got to give him credit and respect for stepping up to the plate!
We have to get behind our boys, hasn't done any harm to mathew hatton

[Final round]

Would much rather see barker v Martinez than burns v cook!
Sick of fighters/ promoter looking for easy touches, weak champs and moody defences! Even if he did lose got to give him credit and respect for stepping up to the plate!
We have to get behind our boys, hasn't done any harm to mathew hatton

True, Hatton did very well in losing against Alvarez but Martinez is very experienced, at a higher level and jumping in with a obviously better fighter doesn't always benefit what good did it do Lockett, Jennings and Elcock?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Would much rather see barker v Martinez than burns v cook!
Sick of fighters/ promoter looking for easy touches, weak champs and moody defences! Even if he did lose got to give him credit and respect for stepping up to the plate!
We have to get behind our boys, hasn't done any harm to mathew hatton

True, Hatton did very well in losing against Alvarez but Martinez is very experienced, at a higher level and jumping in with a obviously better fighter doesn't always benefit what good did it do Lockett, Jennings and Elcock?

Hey, look what happened to Jeff Lacy - and he was at a higher level than Barker is. His career ended that night against Calzaghe.

[alexpaterson]

Total respect for team Barker for taking that fight! They could easily go looking for a world title shot against a lesser opponent (there are plenty at Middleweight!) but they're taking on the top man and win or lose he gets my full respect. I can't see how Barker could beat him but he'll give it a good go. SM best weapon is his jab, reflexes and speed which almost Is the worst type of opponent for a stand up boxer like Dazzling Darren, he likes space to work behind the jab and he likes to control the pace which Martinez won't allow. I see a late corner retirement

[JC]

Would much rather see barker v Martinez than burns v cook!
Sick of fighters/ promoter looking for easy touches, weak champs and moody defences! Even if he did lose got to give him credit and respect for stepping up to the plate!
We have to get behind our boys, hasn't done any harm to mathew hatton

True, Hatton did very well in losing against Alvarez but Martinez is very experienced, at a higher level and jumping in with a obviously better fighter doesn't always benefit what good did it do Lockett, Jennings and Elcock?

Hey, look what happened to Jeff Lacy - and he was at a higher level than Barker is. His career ended that night against Calzaghe.

This is true but I think part of that was that he genuinely believed his own hype and that of the people around him and was mentally shattered when it did not come off. He really thought he would smash Calzaghe and it would be a stepping stone to multi-weight glory.

[jamesmcdonnell]

True, Hatton did very well in losing against Alvarez but Martinez is very experienced, at a higher level and jumping in with a obviously better fighter doesn't always benefit what good did it do Lockett, Jennings and Elcock?

Hey, look what happened to Jeff Lacy - and he was at a higher level than Barker is. His career ended that night against Calzaghe.

This is true but I think part of that was that he genuinely believed his own hype and of the people around him and was mentally shattered when it did not come off. He really thought he would smash Calzaghe and it would be a stepping stone to multi-weight glory.

You dont think the 1008 shots he got smashed in the head with might also have been a factor?

[JC]

Hey, look what happened to Jeff Lacy - and he was at a higher level than Barker is. His career ended that night against Calzaghe.

This is true but I think part of that was that he genuinely believed his own hype and of the people around him and was mentally shattered when it did not come off. He really thought he would smash Calzaghe and it would be a stepping stone to multi-weight glory.

You dont think the 1008 shots he got smashed in the head with might also have been a factor?

Obviously, but I've seen people hit less and hurt a lot more in fights. I think he was ruined mentally.

[Deserter]

I'm firmly in the camp of those who believe the timing is wrong for Barker. Of course we want to see our top guys take on the world's best, but surely we also want them to have that shot when they're best prepared and consequently have their best chance at succeeding?
Given that not a single person on here, regardless of their perspective, is able to make a compelling case that Barker could actually win, where's the rationale behind making the fight now?
The only plausible argument seems to be the pay-day and/or the experience gained from facing Martinez, but against that you have to balance the potential damage to future earnings and the fact that the nature of the defeat could damage him physically and/or mentally.
The risk/reward ratio on this one is all wrong for me.

[Tko1980]

One thing your all forgetting is the fight hasn't even been made they are just in talks, and to have your name even mentioned with one of the p4p best must be an honour! Full respect to him and his team

[Deserter]

to have your name even mentioned with one of the p4p best must be an honour! Full respect to him and his team

I'm not being rude, but why? Surely the respect and honour only comes from stepping in the ring with them?

[Tko1980]

to have your name even mentioned with one of the p4p best must be an honour! Full respect to him and his team

I'm not being rude, but why? Surely the respect and honour only comes from stepping in the ring with them?

Fair play maybe wrong choice of words but if I was barker I'd be over the moon to be in the mix with the p4p no 5