Martinez v Barker is ON

[Glyn Leach]

Me who said suicidal - and career wise I think it could be because I don't just think Darren will lose, I think it will be one of those bad losses I referred to in an earlier post. And if it is what I think it will be, he risks not having much left to offer afterwards, like a Pavlik or Lacy. The path to a title and a long career would not have included Martinez at this stage IMO, but I said all that earlier.

[lefthook82]

Didn't think they would make it but fair play to Matchroom.

What I have seen of Barker he is not cute nor fast enough to give Martinez any problems but Sergio isn't getting any younger

[Autobarn]

Me who said suicidal - and career wise I think it could be because I don't just think Darren will lose, I think it will be one of those bad losses I referred to in an earlier post. And if it is what I think it will be, he risks not having much left to offer afterwards, like a Pavlik or Lacy. The path to a title and a long career would not have included Martinez at this stage IMO, but I said all that earlier.

maybe darren hasn't got time to lose. he's had 2 big layoffs in his career.

[smcb80]

so that's why barker was a pundit on the froch fight.

[Glyn Leach]

Me who said suicidal - and career wise I think it could be because I don't just think Darren will lose, I think it will be one of those bad losses I referred to in an earlier post. And if it is what I think it will be, he risks not having much left to offer afterwards, like a Pavlik or Lacy. The path to a title and a long career would not have included Martinez at this stage IMO, but I said all that earlier.

maybe darren hasn't got time to lose. he's had 2 big layoffs in his career.

Very true. He will know how much longer he wants to/can fight on for, I'm only making judgements based on what I'd like for him. He might well have a completely different outlook, probably has.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Me who said suicidal - and career wise I think it could be because I don't just think Darren will lose, I think it will be one of those bad losses I referred to in an earlier post. And if it is what I think it will be, he risks not having much left to offer afterwards, like a Pavlik or Lacy. The path to a title and a long career would not have included Martinez at this stage IMO, but I said all that earlier.

maybe darren hasn't got time to lose. he's had 2 big layoffs in his career.

Very true. He will know how much longer he wants to/can fight on for, I'm only making judgements based on what I'd like for him. He might well have a completely different outlook, probably has.

Wonder if maybe he already knows that those injuries are going to be career enders ultimately, and wants to try and cash out. However slim his chances, he has some chance, and if he beats Martinez, he can have a testimonial fight effectively.

[Glyn Leach]

maybe darren hasn't got time to lose. he's had 2 big layoffs in his career.

Very true. He will know how much longer he wants to/can fight on for, I'm only making judgements based on what I'd like for him. He might well have a completely different outlook, probably has.

Wonder if maybe he already knows that those injuries are going to be career enders ultimately, and wants to try and cash out. However slim his chances, he has some chance, and if he beats Martinez, he can have a testimonial fight effectively.

Possible. But that's not to say he wouldn't still give it a bloody good go, I'm sure he will. But if you're going to go out, may as well go out at the top. Poor old Darren, we've moved from him taking a beating to him retiring! Serve us right if he wins and goes on longer than Hopkins!

[doctorboxing]

Darren Barker has to get maximum respect for taking this fight. It's great to see someone who wants to be a world champion getting in with the very best in the division. We all moan about multiple world champs and alphabet titles, if Darren wants to be considered the best middleweight in the world then he has to go after Martinez.

Sure he is the big underdog but its a refreshing attitude when so many fighters are more interested in waiting for vacant titles or picking the weakest champion to try and win a belt.

[slapbangwhallop]

Lee is like the irish audley. lots of hype, little substance if you watch him on a round by round basis. the late KO of mcewan, saving the day after doing little all night, not too far from audley-sprott. one punch saving his career and his delusional world title aspirations.

i wanted barker to get the shot, but felt that the american promoters and TV would not go with him, because of lack of recognition.

never said it was suicidal - this is another poster.

if barker is really going for martinez, then this leaves lee to gun for chavez jr, in the shadow realm of junior half champs.

Funny that Lee wasn't behind on the cards going into the last round, especially for a fighter that done nothing at all in the bout and already had McEwan on his arse before the last. So much for it being one lucky punch.

But don't let the facts get in the away of your little fantasy, eh!?

[T.M.K]

Tell you something gents.....

IF Barker wins, Eddie Hearn will get props as having done the best bit of matchmaking for a British fighter since.....erm.....erm..... since a bloody long time ago!

However, I think Barker will get walloped.

best wishes,

"T.M.K"/Col


ps: what exactly is Martinez defending anayway? The Diamond title is not a legit belt to defend (by Jose's own words) but more a mantle-peice ornament for someone who has been bestowed with it. "The Ring" title, The Linear title or what? It's not like any of those have ratings to go by so him chosing Barker is entirely up to him/his-team. :)

[T.M.K]

Possible. But that's not to say he wouldn't still give it a bloody good go, I'm sure he will. But if you're going to go out, may as well go out at the top. Poor old Darren, we've moved from him taking a beating to him retiring! Serve us right if he wins and goes on longer than Hopkins!

Will make a bloody good "apology" (for all the readers) in the opening of an issue though

Col

[Asterix]

Me who said suicidal - and career wise I think it could be because I don't just think Darren will lose, I think it will be one of those bad losses I referred to in an earlier post. And if it is what I think it will be, he risks not having much left to offer afterwards, like a Pavlik or Lacy. The path to a title and a long career would not have included Martinez at this stage IMO, but I said all that earlier.

maybe darren hasn't got time to lose. he's had 2 big layoffs in his career.

Yeah, that's what I implied earlier. All of the injuries we've heard about, Barker can't have many fights left in him. He wants to see what he's got, so good on him.

[hitman_hatton1]

he's got no chance tbh.

hope he's getting well paid.

shame they couldn't wait around for sturm.

[Asterix]

he's got no chance tbh.

hope he's getting well paid.

shame they couldn't wait around for sturm.

Barker wouldn't get Sturm, I don't think. Sturm is very carefully matched.

[mcjarvo]

OMG shit darren is going to get killed in the ring and thi could ruin him big time sergio is a beast I think he could beat both mayweather and pacquiao but the smaller then darren I know but I think this is a bad move but big up eddy hearns for going for the big times not like warren always taken the easyway/safe way out.

[hitman_hatton1]

he's got no chance tbh.

hope he's getting well paid.

shame they couldn't wait around for sturm.

Barker wouldn't get Sturm, I don't think. Sturm is very carefully matched.

yeah what a boring career he's had since the de la hoya fight.

decent fighter if nothing spectacular.

[Final round]

Darren Barker is a brave man he stepped in to help out a bloke who was getting done over by a gang so I doubt the king of the middleweight's holds much fear for him.

Good look Dazzla

[iwz678]

fair play to Barker for stepping up to fight such a quality fighter, why are people knocking him for doing so? very likely he'll get beat, but he can come again no doubt.

[Deserter]

he can come again no doubt.

Nobody is knocking him, they're saying it's not the best move in his career at this moment in time.
Glyn's already clearly outlined why, and you simply can't say there's no doubt he can come again - if he sustains a bad beating at the hands of Martinez it could most definitely prevent him coming again.

[glahn]

Great fight for him, and it is definitely the right time. By that I don't mean that I think he's going to win, but I that he's probably at his peak and might not get another chance in such a prestigious fight. I think he will do himself proud in a very valiant but losing effort. Martinez is just on another level.

[yiddo14]

Fighting the very best is what the sport is all about.

Would love to see him win, love it!

[Deserter]

he's probably at his peak.

Really?!

[He's Gone Jim!]

To paraphrase a line from Braveheart "He doesn't have to beat him, just fight him."
Too many boxers making sensible business decisions imo. A whole division of competent middleweights who don't often fight each other.

That being said I expect Martinez to beat Barker in the manner he dealt with Dzinzurik.

[glahn]

he's probably at his peak.

Really?!

When do you think he's going to get any better? He's, what, 27?

[Asterix]

he's probably at his peak.

Really?!

I agree with glahn.