Who next for Darren Barker?

[expe]

I'd like to see barker face who ever is the most lucrative for him.theres no easy fights for him!!
Lee hasn't done anything to suggest a world title fight.
Macklin has just been crushed so no chance there.
Murray is a fantastic fighter & a real threat but I don't think he'd bring much to the table in terms of readies.
I want barker to cash in, maybe Chavez in Vegas would be a big occasion

Chavez would involve cashing in and losing the title though

[TJ77]

I would like to see Macklin, mainly because it was Macklin vs Barker that was the most mooted in Britain. That fight has been called for, for the last 6+ years.

Your right but is it an earner.

[TJ77]

I'd like to see barker face who ever is the most lucrative for him.theres no easy fights for him!!
Lee hasn't done anything to suggest a world title fight.
Macklin has just been crushed so no chance there.
Murray is a fantastic fighter & a real threat but I don't think he'd bring much to the table in terms of readies.
I want barker to cash in, maybe Chavez in Vegas would be a big occasion

Chavez would involve cashing in and losing the title though

Its a business primarily if its big dough he should do it would likely pay more than 2 to 3 lesser defences.

[whiskey]

I would like to see Macklin, mainly because it was Macklin vs Barker that was the most mooted in Britain. That fight has been called for, for the last 6+ years.

Macklin was trying to kick sand in their face on ringside, saying he wasn't looking backwards at domestic fights - that he was fighting for world titles at MSG.

Maybe they give him the finger now - or perhaps they welcome an opportunity to put him to pasture?

From a fan's point of view, he punches hard and is game - but he's been dusted in his last couple of fights.

Perhaps he needs a few wins first. Andy Lee even, N'Dam or someone.

[whiskey]

Chavez won't see 160 again and that's a fact.

[winkveron]

I'd go for Macklin. Still be able to sell it and would still be a competitive fight, although I'd fancy Barker to finish him off. Funny though...like one poster said I bet Macklin isn't shutting the door on this fight now!

[ajwesty13]

He fighting strum.. think he will beat strum after if he does then a super 5 sort of contest where the winner of lee, macklin, murray, BJS or Ryder faces Barker in the final for the IBF... just a thought

[johnswan1]

I am thrilled for Barker, but the fact that he is a world champion shows how weak the division is. What a time to be a middleweight. Sturm and Martinez are now over the hill. Imagine what even Watson, Benn and Eubank would do to the likes of Geale, Murray, Macklin, Barker and Lee? GGG is the only real dangerman in the division. Quillin is an unknown quantity but hasn't beaten anybody other than an ancient Winky Wright.

[ajwesty13]

I am thrilled for Barker, but the fact that he is a world champion shows how weak the division is. What a time to be a middleweight. Sturm and Martinez are now over the hill. Imagine what even Watson, Benn and Eubank would do to the likes of Geale, Murray, Macklin, Barker and Lee? GGG is the only real dangerman in the division. Quillin is an unknown quantity but hasn't beaten anybody other than an ancient Winky Wright.

Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam was pretty handy thou as they fought for wbo although by default.. :)

[Deserter]

Chavez won't see 160 again and that's a fact.

Am I sensing the prospect of a big US payday for Mr Froch once the Groves fight is over?

[HomicideHenry]

If he was smart he would go after Martinez again. Sergio is on his way out and looking for big paydays. A international match up held in the UK would be huge business and Barker this time around would more than likely win the contest. Jesus bless.

[expe]

If he was smart he would go after Martinez again. Sergio is on his way out and looking for big paydays. A international match up held in the UK would be huge business and Barker this time around would more than likely win the contest. Jesus bless.

No chance that Martinez comes over here, they'd have to make a major loss on the show.

[hurlock]

I'd say Martinez as he is the king pin & the proven recognised champ he should get the highest grossing fight I would of thought with him. Plus gets the chance to avenge defeat possibly & Martinez has since done 36 hard rds & is looking old IMO

[Autobarn]

I'd like to see barker face who ever is the most lucrative for him.theres no easy fights for him!!
Lee hasn't done anything to suggest a world title fight.
Macklin has just been crushed so no chance there.
Murray is a fantastic fighter & a real threat but I don't think he'd bring much to the table in terms of readies.
I want barker to cash in, maybe Chavez in Vegas would be a big occasion

Martinez, having faced macklin on st Patrick's day, murray in a big stadium in argentina and between those, chavez jr on PPV, is clearly looking for marketable events/opponents. considering he took 2 out of 3 in less than peak condition, as well. and in lieu of how close to the end of his career. he fights hard but it's going to be about money and perhaps HBO would make it worth his while, ring champ vs IBF titlist. it certainly has credibility and appeal, both.

barker, coming off a 1000 punch (combined), fight of the year contender world title win, qualifies as such, in spite of americans not being pleased with his performance, first time.

revenge for barker? a continuation of brilliant 6 fight run vs best of Britain for Martinez (adding to Richard Williams x2, Adrian stone, barker 1st fight, macklin, murry).

add to that, it could be a really good fight, a vast improvement on the fight they had a while back.

[expe]

I'd like to see barker face who ever is the most lucrative for him.theres no easy fights for him!!
Lee hasn't done anything to suggest a world title fight.
Macklin has just been crushed so no chance there.
Murray is a fantastic fighter & a real threat but I don't think he'd bring much to the table in terms of readies.
I want barker to cash in, maybe Chavez in Vegas would be a big occasion

Martinez, having faced macklin on st Patrick's day, murray in a big stadium in argentina and between those, chavez jr on PPV, is clearly looking for marketable events/opponents. considering he took 2 out of 3 in less than peak condition, as well. and in lieu of how close to the end of his career. he fights hard but it's going to be about money and perhaps HBO would make it worth his while, ring champ vs IBF titlist. it certainly has credibility and appeal, both.

barker, coming off a 1000 punch (combined), fight of the year contender world title win, qualifies as such, in spite of americans not being pleased with his performance, first time.

revenge for barker? a continuation of brilliant 6 fight run vs best of Britain for Martinez (adding to Richard Williams x2, Adrian stone, barker 1st fight, macklin, murry).

add to that, it could be a really good fight, a vast improvement on the fight they had a while back.

Fight of the year contender?

[Autobarn]

I am thrilled for Barker, but the fact that he is a world champion shows how weak the division is. What a time to be a middleweight. Sturm and Martinez are now over the hill. Imagine what even Watson, Benn and Eubank would do to the likes of Geale, Murray, Macklin, Barker and Lee? GGG is the only real dangerman in the division. Quillin is an unknown quantity but hasn't beaten anybody other than an ancient Winky Wright.

couldn't disagree more. geale is a very talented, high octane fighter. I've rated him a while. he's done his thing domestically, with the mundine fights. he's done his thing internationally, taking 2 german based fighters' titles, in Germany. sturm has done more quality rounds than any middleweight since Bernard Hopkins (who left the weight around 2005) & still has an outstanding defense. macklin boxed superbly vs Martinez. Martinez is the best fighter from argentina for a long time and his brilliant run will land him in the hall of fame. barker has really taken his boxing to the next level, appearing to be on a mission based on the showings vs hope and geale, in which he overcame a knockdown and surprised everyone by his immense workrate. golovkin is more than a dangerman, and pirog had real promise, before disappearing. quillin, like pirog, scored an emphatic win over a live opponent for a vacant title (n'dam n'jikam). quillin, murray and chavez jr (the latter very exciting vs duddy, Rubio & Martinez) are all oversized middleweights whose punch or height cause serious problems in spite of low workrate or appearing to have lack of urgency.

[Autobarn]

I'd like to see barker face who ever is the most lucrative for him.theres no easy fights for him!!
Lee hasn't done anything to suggest a world title fight.
Macklin has just been crushed so no chance there.
Murray is a fantastic fighter & a real threat but I don't think he'd bring much to the table in terms of readies.
I want barker to cash in, maybe Chavez in Vegas would be a big occasion

Martinez, having faced macklin on st Patrick's day, murray in a big stadium in argentina and between those, chavez jr on PPV, is clearly looking for marketable events/opponents. considering he took 2 out of 3 in less than peak condition, as well. and in lieu of how close to the end of his career. he fights hard but it's going to be about money and perhaps HBO would make it worth his while, ring champ vs IBF titlist. it certainly has credibility and appeal, both.

barker, coming off a 1000 punch (combined), fight of the year contender world title win, qualifies as such, in spite of americans not being pleased with his performance, first time.

revenge for barker? a continuation of brilliant 6 fight run vs best of Britain for Martinez (adding to Richard Williams x2, Adrian stone, barker 1st fight, macklin, murry).

add to that, it could be a really good fight, a vast improvement on the fight they had a while back.

Fight of the year contender?

ok, best middleweight fight of the year, best maybe since Martinez v Williams 1.