What next for Barker?

[WelshJack]

A big payday and last ever fight (if he loses) against Martinez at Stamford Bridge as Eddie Hearn tweeted it or big domestic fights?

[expe]

A trip to Germany to fight Sturm first, no chance that Martinez would come over or that the fight would do 20,000 tickets, let alone 40,000, so no need to go outdoors. After Sturm I'd expect one of Murray, Macklin and Lee to be next.

[mickey1975]

I think Darren could really catch on in London. He has always been a pretty good seller but that was great television last week with an emotional back story. Throw in the Chelsea angle and I think he could top The O2 now.

[DMA1987]

A trip to Germany to fight Sturm first, no chance that Martinez would come over or that the fight would do 20,000 tickets, let alone 40,000, so no need to go outdoors. After Sturm I'd expect one of Murray, Macklin and Lee to be next.

Fading or not Martinez is still a huge name. That fight would end up being huge after the marketing campaign. Martinez will also be looking for paydays at this stage of his career and will firmly believe he can stop Barker, so if the money is right I think he would be on the plane.

[bigB]

Wouldn't the Sturm fight be over here in the UK in December?

I think he will want to unify which I think means

Quillan or the one I think most to try and avenge the loss Martinez as its bigger ££

Think that would be over in the states again though as where the big money would be for Martinez with HBO backing

[Autobarn]

sturm doesn't have the same clout he used to have, surely. back in the day when universum were strong, etc. sturm's on the rebound now and he's with a different outfit. don't take for granted that it's going to germany.

i think martinez v barker 2 would be much tougher. martinez must only fight when healed and fit, from now on. this could be a really good rematch (of an albeit disappointing first fight).

so has hearn mentioned martinez, really?

obviously barker v murray is appealing, has credibility on the world scene and excites domestically, however, sturm is the mando and drew with murray so sturm's priority. and martinez is the current champ, the true champ, so he's more important than sturm (ad holds a narrow win over murray).

[whiskey]

I think Darren could really catch on in London. He has always been a pretty good seller but that was great television last week with an emotional back story. Throw in the Chelsea angle and I think he could top The O2 now.

100%

That body shot bent him in half, but the bottle and determination of the man to rise up and battle back is the difference between proper fighters and wannabe's.

Barker might not be the best middleweight that lived, but he gives it everything and has a huge fighting heart.

He's demonstrated that several times, including getting his teeth knocked out for stopping a drunken gang attacking a man.

[expe]

A trip to Germany to fight Sturm first, no chance that Martinez would come over or that the fight would do 20,000 tickets, let alone 40,000, so no need to go outdoors. After Sturm I'd expect one of Murray, Macklin and Lee to be next.

Fading or not Martinez is still a huge name. That fight would end up being huge after the marketing campaign. Martinez will also be looking for paydays at this stage of his career and will firmly believe he can stop Barker, so if the money is right I think he would be on the plane.

Martinez can make bigger money in the US and Argentina than here. It would take Hearn making a big loss on the show to get him over and he won't do that IMO. As for Sturm, he may not have the same clout as he used to, but I think the fight will end up over there, either by way of a purse bid or the camps coming to an agreement. The only fighters Hearn has managed to secure home advantage for in a world title fights are Froch against Bute and Kessler and possibly Burns against Gonzalez, but in all honesty, that fight was always going to be in Glasgow. The rest have ended up on the road.

[orbtastic]

I'd imagine a fairly undemanding "homecoming" defence and then I'd think Geale would want a rematch.

[WelshJack]

I'd imagine a fairly undemanding "homecoming" defence and then I'd think Geale would want a rematch.

Froch v Groves undercard?

[orbtastic]

Depending on whom the defence was against, it would be a decent doubleheader but I'd imagine most promoters would want to promote the defence independently and keep it for a second [TV] date/card.

[Ezzard]

Barker's win reminded me of Terry Marsh.

A guy I thought was a highly skilled, defensive tactician, becoming a swarming non-stop puncher...

[TJ77]

I think Darren could really catch on in London. He has always been a pretty good seller but that was great television last week with an emotional back story. Throw in the Chelsea angle and I think he could top The O2 now.

100%

That body shot bent him in half, but the bottle and determination of the man to rise up and battle back is the difference between proper fighters and wannabe's.

Barker might not be the best middleweight that lived, but he gives it everything and has a huge fighting heart.

He's demonstrated that several times, including getting his teeth knocked out for stopping a drunken gang attacking a man.

Great coverage in the papers for Barker this week great to see though all to rare if its built on he could become a household name.

[Parson Cross]

Depends who promotes it. Options ..... Ask Gary Shaw what his plan is.

[mickey1975]

Gary Shaw has never minded working in the uk before.

[lefty]

Gary Shaw has never minded working in the uk before.

I imagine it will depend if HBO are also interested in broadcasting the fight? If they are then im not sure how likely the fight would be in the UK. I know they came over for Froch vs Kessler 2 but they dont leave the states that often. It has to be a worthwhile fight for that to happen because their production costs increase. I remember seeing an exec with HBO talking about it a few years back.

[Crease]

Next for Barker?

Well Martin Murray has called him out, so a lucrative local clash between them is definitely a viable option.

[lefty]

Next for Barker?

Well Martin Murray has called him out, so a lucrative local clash between them is definitely a viable option.

Id hope that would happen. I hope Barker doesnt defend the title against medicore opposition for a sustained period of time. The Murray/Macklin/Lee fights are where you're going to make decent money I imagine outside of fighting Golovkin and the other champions.

[dr_devious]

Thought Sturm was Barker's mandatory? Also Geale will want a re-match as well, both fights are winnable but tough assignments for Darren.

[Ezzard]

How about a mini tournament Barker, Murray, Macklin, Lee... and give the winner a shot at Froch/Groves.

I can dream........

[mason123]

Fekix sturm in london

[Weirdyman]

I'd imagine a fairly undemanding "homecoming" defence and then I'd think Geale would want a rematch.

Froch v Groves undercard?

That's a good shout. Fast Car seems desperate to make it PPV, but needs to have a strong card to justify it. Having a World Champ defence on the bill will definitely up the standards required.

[jameswilson]

I said a few weeks ago that I thought Hearn was waiting for the result of the Barker fight in the hope that Barker wins so he can put Barker's first defence on the Froch v Groves undercard and make it PPV. I still believe this will be the case, but I guess he has to wait until the purse bids are done with before he can confirm it. I doubt Sturm and his team will willingly come to the UK, they will need to be forced via a purse bid.

[davie]

Martin Murray has to be next.

the british public have been waiting on the barker/macklin/murray trilogy for too long, with the excuse being each man was chasing world titles (hard to argue against that when the 3 men have managed 7 title fights between them over the last couple of years)

but it has finally arrived, one of the has a title to fight for.

given the fact that Macklin got destroyed last time out and Murray basically won in argentina against thew biggest name in the division, you have to say it's murray next up for barker, let Macklin come back with an easy one to prepare him for a shot at the winner at some point, but maybe not straight away.
i'd fancy murray to beat barker, but it would be a close fight, if he came through it, then the sturm or geale fights would maybe be attractive. and if he could get martinez to the uk, then i'd love to see that rematch

i'd be happy to see him fight those kind of opponents before he goes looking for GGG. I see no benefit in that right now (if ever)

[whiskey]

I can't stand Felix Sturm.

If he isn't winning every decision by the skin of his teeth, his team are finding PEDs in the sample of people that whip him.

I personally hope it's not. It's about time the guy didn't have it his own way all the time.

Karma must have felt really bad for him after the Oscar fight.