Dazzling Darren is no carnival Barker

[MightyWarrior]

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-natio ... -superstar


No "Carnival Barker" but defrocking Sergio Martinez makes him UK fight superstar

Mike Marley

They call this 29 year old from the outer edge of London "Dazzling Darren" Barker.

He's 23-0 with 14 knockouts and he's won every British, Commonwealth and European middleweight that is not locked down. He was an impressive 55-13 as an amatuer.

"I've got the pedigree in boxing," Barker said on Monday afternoon.

I mean, it could be worse as they could call awsome 160 pound champ Sergio Gabriel Martinez's Saturday night challenger "Carnival Barker."

I met and spoke with the British invader on a typically warm Indian Summer afternoon Monday at Mendez Gym.

For me, the British lad was "Disappointing Darren" and I mean that in a good way.

You see, Barker is no mealy-mouthed, just happy to be here type fighter from overseas. He does not look at his boxing boots when he speaks. There's no false modesty or cocky braying

He doesn't mumble about doing his "talking in the ring."

Barker comes off as a realist who knows the odds are loaded against him but he admits to dreaming about next Sunday's screaming sports headlines in the national British newspapers.
"A star would be born," Barker said, as he sat on the ring apron in the West 26th sweat emporium. "It would be a massive upset. I'm up for the job, I really am.

"I want to put on a great show and go back with the title."

The articualate fighter, whose male model looks are similar to that of his buddy Super Joe Calzaghe and the handsome Argentinian Martinez, said that, if he should be victorious, it would be wrong to label him an overnight sensation.

"This is (the culmination) of 17 years work. It's after training and fighting for 17 long years. I am strong, I am mature at 29 and I've got a big job to do."

Barker explained that this match, which was partially made via some optimistic and respectful tweets on Twitter, said he was a bit stunned when his promoter Eddie Hearn told him the bout hads been against Martinez, the hard-hitting southpaw almost universally regard as the sport's third best pound for pound fighter.

"I's been a dream come true for me," Barker said. "I think about starting in boxing at 12 when my Dad (Terry), never a pro but a national champ im 1981, helped me. I think about my brother, Gary, who died in a car wreck at age 19.

(Gary Barker was also a boxer. Darren took about 10 months away from boxing after the tragedy.)

Barker said he's got a positive plan, which he's keeping close to the vest, and a negative one which he freely revealed.
Martinez's biggest claim to fame is perfect, one punch KO of Tall Paul Williams, hyped by many as a real superstar.

"We've got a game plan. I won't be like Williams, walking into Martinez with my chin up. I'm a full six-footer, a bit taller than Martinez, but I don't fight tall in that I've got a lot of head movement and I know how to and I like slipping punches. I also know how to move my feet. You've got move your head and your feet," Barker said.

Barker said his tension ends when he enters the ring.

"That's when I really can relax, once I am in the ring. Then I am in my element. I like the strategic side of boxing, when it becomes like a game of chess."

Last British fighter I recall who compared boxing to chess was Lennox Lewis.

Maybe this Barker lad, this thinking man's fighter from Barnet, is on to something.

With the fading away of Calzaghe and Hatton and stumbling heavyweights, UK boxing is not shining brightly.

One "massive upset" produced by Barker and that all changes.

Martinez like to put the lights out for his foes.

A Barker victory would turn them back on for British boxing.

He's got the lottery ticket. All he's got to do now is cash it.

I'm hesitant to pick an upset just yet but I will say this.

Barker looks like someone in Central Casting cast him in the role.

This bloke, you've got to like the cut of his jib.

[Scottrf]

awesome*
articulate*
had*
a perfect*
Why is tall in capitals like it's his nickname?

Isn't this supposed to be a respected boxing journalist? Found it boring and badly written.

[Lenny]

I have to say.

That I found this.

In a very similar style.

To something that.

Steve Bunce may have written.

Adios

[bennie]

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-natio ... -superstar


No "Carnival Barker" but defrocking Sergio Martinez makes him UK fight superstar

Mike Marley

They call this 29 year old from the outer edge of London "Dazzling Darren" Barker.

He's 23-0 with 14 knockouts and he's won every British, Commonwealth and European middleweight that is not locked down. He was an impressive 55-13 as an amatuer.

"I've got the pedigree in boxing," Barker said on Monday afternoon.

I mean, it could be worse as they could call awsome 160 pound champ Sergio Gabriel Martinez's Saturday night challenger "Carnival Barker."

I met and spoke with the British invader on a typically warm Indian Summer afternoon Monday at Mendez Gym.

For me, the British lad was "Disappointing Darren" and I mean that in a good way.

You see, Barker is no mealy-mouthed, just happy to be here type fighter from overseas. He does not look at his boxing boots when he speaks. There's no false modesty or cocky braying

He doesn't mumble about doing his "talking in the ring."

Barker comes off as a realist who knows the odds are loaded against him but he admits to dreaming about next Sunday's screaming sports headlines in the national British newspapers.
"A star would be born," Barker said, as he sat on the ring apron in the West 26th sweat emporium. "It would be a massive upset. I'm up for the job, I really am.

"I want to put on a great show and go back with the title."

The articualate fighter, whose male model looks are similar to that of his buddy Super Joe Calzaghe and the handsome Argentinian Martinez, said that, if he should be victorious, it would be wrong to label him an overnight sensation.

"This is (the culmination) of 17 years work. It's after training and fighting for 17 long years. I am strong, I am mature at 29 and I've got a big job to do."

Barker explained that this match, which was partially made via some optimistic and respectful tweets on Twitter, said he was a bit stunned when his promoter Eddie Hearn told him the bout hads been against Martinez, the hard-hitting southpaw almost universally regard as the sport's third best pound for pound fighter.

"I's been a dream come true for me," Barker said. "I think about starting in boxing at 12 when my Dad (Terry), never a pro but a national champ im 1981, helped me. I think about my brother, Gary, who died in a car wreck at age 19.

(Gary Barker was also a boxer. Darren took about 10 months away from boxing after the tragedy.)

Barker said he's got a positive plan, which he's keeping close to the vest, and a negative one which he freely revealed.
Martinez's biggest claim to fame is perfect, one punch KO of Tall Paul Williams, hyped by many as a real superstar.

"We've got a game plan. I won't be like Williams, walking into Martinez with my chin up. I'm a full six-footer, a bit taller than Martinez, but I don't fight tall in that I've got a lot of head movement and I know how to and I like slipping punches. I also know how to move my feet. You've got move your head and your feet," Barker said.

Barker said his tension ends when he enters the ring.

"That's when I really can relax, once I am in the ring. Then I am in my element. I like the strategic side of boxing, when it becomes like a game of chess."

Last British fighter I recall who compared boxing to chess was Lennox Lewis.

Maybe this Barker lad, this thinking man's fighter from Barnet, is on to something.

With the fading away of Calzaghe and Hatton and stumbling heavyweights, UK boxing is not shining brightly.

One "massive upset" produced by Barker and that all changes.

Martinez like to put the lights out for his foes.

A Barker victory would turn them back on for British boxing.

He's got the lottery ticket. All he's got to do now is cash it.

I'm hesitant to pick an upset just yet but I will say this.

Barker looks like someone in Central Casting cast him in the role.

This bloke, you've got to like the cut of his jib.

Terry Barker was national ABA champion in 1980 (as opposed to 1981), the year that Frank Bruno, Mark Kaylor, Terry Marsh and Jimmy Price also won ABA titles.
Only Kaylor got the Olympic nod.

[MightyWarrior]

I like reading Marley because he's not afraid to say exactly what he thinks. He's been around forever ( ex NY Post and also Don King's press man (!!!) ) and it's surprising to see he seems to think the Brit has a chance. No one else does, surely.

Here's one by the excellent Donald McRae

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id=2443

[Tko1980]

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-natio ... -superstar


No "Carnival Barker" but defrocking Sergio Martinez makes him UK fight superstar

Mike Marley

They call this 29 year old from the outer edge of London "Dazzling Darren" Barker.

He's 23-0 with 14 knockouts and he's won every British, Commonwealth and European middleweight that is not locked down. He was an impressive 55-13 as an amatuer.

"I've got the pedigree in boxing," Barker said on Monday afternoon.

I mean, it could be worse as they could call awsome 160 pound champ Sergio Gabriel Martinez's Saturday night challenger "Carnival Barker."

I met and spoke with the British invader on a typically warm Indian Summer afternoon Monday at Mendez Gym.

For me, the British lad was "Disappointing Darren" and I mean that in a good way.

You see, Barker is no mealy-mouthed, just happy to be here type fighter from overseas. He does not look at his boxing boots when he speaks. There's no false modesty or cocky braying

He doesn't mumble about doing his "talking in the ring."

Barker comes off as a realist who knows the odds are loaded against him but he admits to dreaming about next Sunday's screaming sports headlines in the national British newspapers.
"A star would be born," Barker said, as he sat on the ring apron in the West 26th sweat emporium. "It would be a massive upset. I'm up for the job, I really am.

"I want to put on a great show and go back with the title."

The articualate fighter, whose male model looks are similar to that of his buddy Super Joe Calzaghe and the handsome Argentinian Martinez, said that, if he should be victorious, it would be wrong to label him an overnight sensation.

"This is (the culmination) of 17 years work. It's after training and fighting for 17 long years. I am strong, I am mature at 29 and I've got a big job to do."

Barker explained that this match, which was partially made via some optimistic and respectful tweets on Twitter, said he was a bit stunned when his promoter Eddie Hearn told him the bout hads been against Martinez, the hard-hitting southpaw almost universally regard as the sport's third best pound for pound fighter.

"I's been a dream come true for me," Barker said. "I think about starting in boxing at 12 when my Dad (Terry), never a pro but a national champ im 1981, helped me. I think about my brother, Gary, who died in a car wreck at age 19.

(Gary Barker was also a boxer. Darren took about 10 months away from boxing after the tragedy.)

Barker said he's got a positive plan, which he's keeping close to the vest, and a negative one which he freely revealed.
Martinez's biggest claim to fame is perfect, one punch KO of Tall Paul Williams, hyped by many as a real superstar.

"We've got a game plan. I won't be like Williams, walking into Martinez with my chin up. I'm a full six-footer, a bit taller than Martinez, but I don't fight tall in that I've got a lot of head movement and I know how to and I like slipping punches. I also know how to move my feet. You've got move your head and your feet," Barker said.

Barker said his tension ends when he enters the ring.

"That's when I really can relax, once I am in the ring. Then I am in my element. I like the strategic side of boxing, when it becomes like a game of chess."

Last British fighter I recall who compared boxing to chess was Lennox Lewis.

Maybe this Barker lad, this thinking man's fighter from Barnet, is on to something.

With the fading away of Calzaghe and Hatton and stumbling heavyweights, UK boxing is not shining brightly.

One "massive upset" produced by Barker and that all changes.

Martinez like to put the lights out for his foes.

A Barker victory would turn them back on for British boxing.

He's got the lottery ticket. All he's got to do now is cash it.

I'm hesitant to pick an upset just yet but I will say this.

Barker looks like someone in Central Casting cast him in the role.

This bloke, you've got to like the cut of his jib.

Terry Barker was national ABA champion in 1980 (as opposed to 1981), the year that Frank Bruno, Mark Kaylor, Terry Marsh and Jimmy Price also won ABA titles.
Only Kaylor got the Olympic nod.

[Tko1980]

Terry also won the jr ABAs the same year I think the last person to do so as you can no longer enter both at the same time, so boxing defo in the blood

[Buncey]

Marley has been there and done it.
I've been at his knee.
He's an old-school, throwback.
His print history is sacred - he was not always right, not always pleasant but in his day he was fearsome.
He had bigger balls than any writer online or in print in America now, trust me.

Adios.

[THEBUTCH]

Barker will need all the luck he can get hold of to get through this one, let alone win.

[jimcook]

I dont understand all the negativity associated with Barker's chances of victory. OK , he may be the underdog, but he is also unbeaten , unmarked, mature ,experienced, has plenty of top class sparring, and has a decent team behind him. martinez may be all the good things that people are saying about him but he is 36.
odds of 20-1 for a barker points victory seem astronomical.

[THEBUTCH]

I can't make a case for Barker at all, such is the gravity of the task. Martinez is totally accomplished at world level where as Barker hasn't even boxed anyone close to world class IMO. Matchroom has pitched him in too early.

[whiskey]

I dont understand all the negativity associated with Barker's chances of victory. OK , he may be the underdog, but he is also unbeaten , unmarked, mature ,experienced, has plenty of top class sparring, and has a decent team behind him. martinez may be all the good things that people are saying about him but he is 36.
odds of 20-1 for a barker points victory seem astronomical.

Agree.

You only have to look at the timelines of his best win's current form and you can start seeing big cracks in it.

Dzinziruk - barely fought for 2.5 years, his best win was Joel Julio and a career light-middle.

Paul Williams - first time a draw, second time was a brutal win for Martinez (credit there) but then Williams looked unspectacular against a welter in Erislandy Lara and got an absolute GIFT on the scorecards.

Pavlik - a train wreck of withdrawals (staph infection) was in rehab before and after the Martinez fight - and looked completely shot in his last fight.

Martinez has been elevated by the victory's over 'names'.

Barker may not have fought anyone of HBO fame, but since his hip operation I expect him to be a fully prepared, skillfull and tough fully grown middleweight on the night.

Throw in the fact Martinez can't help but overlook him and we have an upset on the cards.

[JamesH]

I dont understand all the negativity associated with Barker's chances of victory. OK , he may be the underdog, but he is also unbeaten , unmarked, mature ,experienced, has plenty of top class sparring, and has a decent team behind him. martinez may be all the good things that people are saying about him but he is 36.
odds of 20-1 for a barker points victory seem astronomical.

Agree.

You only have to look at the timelines of his best win's current form and you can start seeing big cracks in it.

Dzinziruk - barely fought for 2.5 years, his best win was Joel Julio and a career light-middle.

Paul Williams - first time a draw, second time was a brutal win for Martinez (credit there) but then Williams looked unspectacular against a welter in Erislandy Lara and got an absolute GIFT on the scorecards.

Pavlik - a train wreck of withdrawals (staph infection) was in rehab before and after the Martinez fight - and looked completely shot in his last fight.

Martinez has been elevated by the victory's over 'names'.

Barker may not have fought anyone of HBO fame, but since his hip operation I expect him to be a fully prepared, skillfull and tough fully grown middleweight on the night.

Throw in the fact Martinez can't help but overlook him and we have an upset on the cards.

I'd typed out similar sentiments but no point, this says exactly what I would have tried to. Got a very small bet on Barker, only needs to be small with those odds.

[Autobarn]

I dont understand all the negativity associated with Barker's chances of victory. OK , he may be the underdog, but he is also unbeaten , unmarked, mature ,experienced, has plenty of top class sparring, and has a decent team behind him. martinez may be all the good things that people are saying about him but he is 36.
odds of 20-1 for a barker points victory seem astronomical.

Agree.

You only have to look at the timelines of his best win's current form and you can start seeing big cracks in it.

Dzinziruk - barely fought for 2.5 years, his best win was Joel Julio and a career light-middle.

Paul Williams - first time a draw, second time was a brutal win for Martinez (credit there) but then Williams looked unspectacular against a welter in Erislandy Lara and got an absolute GIFT on the scorecards.

Pavlik - a train wreck of withdrawals (staph infection) was in rehab before and after the Martinez fight - and looked completely shot in his last fight.

Martinez has been elevated by the victory's over 'names'.

Barker may not have fought anyone of HBO fame, but since his hip operation I expect him to be a fully prepared, skillfull and tough fully grown middleweight on the night.

Throw in the fact Martinez can't help but overlook him and we have an upset on the cards.

all fighters have problems going into fights and it's not martinez's fault. martinez has been superb, vs difficult or bigger opponents. if he destroys barker, then barker was stepping up too far in class, and then macklin perhaps, who lost to sturm, etc etc

[Asterix]

I have to say.

That I found this.

In a very similar style.

To something that.

Steve Bunce may have written.

Adios

Marley has been there and done it.
I've been at his knee.
He's an old-school, throwback.
His print history is sacred - he was not always right, not always pleasant but in his day he was fearsome.
He had bigger balls than any writer online or in print in America now, trust me.

Adios.

LMAO.

[Asterix]

You can pick apart anyone's record if you want to. Martinez's opponents have fought very well against him, yet Martinez still won. I don't think Barker has much chance in this one, but I think highly of him for his attitude and desire.

[The 1bangkid]

a big if but if he can do it the biggest upset since douglas v tyson

[Finn]

a big if but if he can do it the biggest upset since douglas v tyson

I think Lewis-Rahman I was a bigger upset.

was that really an upset at the time, i remember people just saying it was a fluke punch and Lewis would kill him in the rematch. I always think of an upset as Douglas v Tyson due to the manner of tysons defeat.

[Finn]

I think Lewis-Rahman I was a bigger upset.

was that really an upset at the time, i remember people just saying it was a fluke punch and Lewis would kill him in the rematch. I always think of an upset as Douglas v Tyson due to the manner of tysons defeat.

I was upset. I cried for forty days and forty nights.

ha ha, i was shocked until Lewis's post fight ringside interview. where he didnt seem bothered at all and seemed 100% confident he would not only beat but destroy Rahman in the rematch.

[Giancarlo]

Marley has been there and done it.
I've been at his knee.
He's an old-school, throwback.
His print history is sacred - he was not always right, not always pleasant but in his day he was fearsome.
He had bigger balls than any writer online or in print in America now, trust me.

Adios.

Ah, Buncey, you're getting in some practice with the hyperbole I see. "sacred", "fearsome", "bollox"...

[MightyWarrior]

a big if but if he can do it the biggest upset since douglas v tyson

I think Lewis-Rahman I was a bigger upset.

Not really, Lewis was asking for trouble before that fight - it was like Please, knock me out. Instead of training he was hanging out with Julia Roberts and co in Hollywood, filming Ocean's 11, then ignores all the good advice to get out to Africa early and acclimatise, instead turning up as late as possible. It was obvious the last thing on his mind was Rahman, and I think a lot of people had a bad feeling about Lewis going into that one - The first McCall fight was still a vivid memory and a disaster seemed a real possibility. More so when the BBC finally decided to show one of his fights - the kiss of death. ( they put the HEX on Roy Jones too DD )

[crusader]

You can pick apart anyone's record if you want to. Martinez's opponents have fought very well against him, yet Martinez still won. I don't think Barker has much chance in this one, but I think highly of him for his attitude and desire.

No kidding.

-Barker went through hell with Affif Belghecham. Belghecham fought twice thereafter, losing both fights to mediocre opponents.

-Barker was hurt by and lost several rounds to Larry Sharpe.

-Barker's recent opponents don't have impressive records: Domencio Spada's best win was over Mariusz Cendrowski; Belghecham loses to every decent fighter he opposes; McDerrmott has never competed past British-level; and the acme of Danny Butler's career was a points win over Paul Samuels. I think it's safe to say that all of these fighters are at least a level below Joel Julio.

Sergio is rightfully a very big favorite and I will be extremely surprised if he loses.

[Jon Saxon]

Marley has been there and done it.
I've been at his knee.
He's an old-school, throwback.
His print history is sacred - he was not always right, not always pleasant but in his day he was fearsome.
He had bigger balls than any writer online or in print in America now, trust me.

Adios.

Ah, Buncey, you're getting in some practice with the hyperbole I see. "sacred", "fearsome", "bollox"...

Have some respect you jealous fanboy.

[Giancarlo]

Marley has been there and done it.
I've been at his knee.
He's an old-school, throwback.
His print history is sacred - he was not always right, not always pleasant but in his day he was fearsome.
He had bigger balls than any writer online or in print in America now, trust me.

Adios.

Ah, Buncey, you're getting in some practice with the hyperbole I see. "sacred", "fearsome", "bollox"...

Have some respect you jelous fanboy.

Tell us some more about your fantasy sparring sessions, Jon.

[Jon Saxon]

Ah, Buncey, you're getting in some practice with the hyperbole I see. "sacred", "fearsome", "bollox"...

Have some respect you jelous fanboy.

Tell us some more about your fantasy sparring sessions, Jon.

Well your in it and I'm slapping you around.

What good have you ever done for boxing?
Show some respect to the Buncemeister you tit.