BoxRec

Until they all fight each other we won't know for certain, but after last nights ringside I thought a poll to see people's opinions would be interesting. Get voting

IMO its Macklin, so if it stays at 1 vote for him you know it was me!
Before Barker fought Martinez I heard from a lot of people that Barker fought to the level of his opponent, and while I think neither Barker or Macklin are at the level of Martinez, head to head I think Macklin would be more powerful than Barker and while I think Barker is a bit more astute than Macklin, when I've watched either I've always thought Macklin to be the busier fighter.

IMO both beat Murray.

Macklin just edges it for me but I think Murray would be strong for Baker.

@matt___s wrote:IMO its Macklin, so if it stays at 1 vote for him you know it was me!
Before Barker fought Martinez I heard from a lot of people that Barker fought to the level of his opponent, and while I think neither Barker or Macklin are at the level of Martinez, head to head I think Macklin would be more powerful than Barker and while I think Barker is a bit more astute than Macklin, when I've watched either I've always thought Macklin to be the busier fighter.

IMO both beat Murray.

spot-on IMO

Barker is tough, and the slicker boxer.

Murray is also very strong and a very determined fighter.

And both good mentally.

Macklin has some wonderful stoppages and has been in some great fights, but can be easy to hit at times- but that makes everything more dramatic for the fans.

They're all good and I like them all to watch.

Very close amongst the three - all three have different strengths and weaknesses. If Macklin doesn't have the power to get them out of there then he would be in trouble as he gases badly down the stretch.

Murray at times looks the most complete of the three (remembering Barker fading also against Martinez)... however, I cannot help but still remember his big struggle with Cello Renda. Sturm is a good boxer, but no puncher - and I don't think Murray has been tested against the bigger punchers in the devision (which I do class Macklin). I also think that Murray is a late bloomer physically and he looks a stronger fighter now than he did in Prizefighter.

Barker - for me the least tested of the three, even though both him and Murray have stepped into world class once. It is hard to gauge Barker's level, cause I don't think he fought a totally motivated Martinez. Was his fade in the fight due to Martinez upping his game, or fatigue. IMO the best performance in world class of the three, as Martinez is a step up from Sturm (as Macklin found out). However, what form was Martinez on that night?

Plus there is Andy Lee in the mix also - just fight each other.

id favour macklin out of the 3 purely for his toughness and tenacity. I think he has more power and workrate to edge these fight which would all be close.

Barker would of been my pick but i think the injuries and inactivity will catch up with him in these type of gruelling bouts tho id pick him to outscore murray.

Murray out of the 3 is more of a dark horse as he has yet to be seriously test (i know sturm fight) but at top level and in deep water, so im yet to see anything in him to suggest he would beat macklin or barker

macklin is the best in my opinion but would like to see them all fight

surely he would get more money over he than fighting on under cards in the us

G0mez wrote:
They're all good and I like them all to watch.

Same here - it is a shame we will never see them box each other.

IMHO non of them will win a World title, but in the meantime we are missing out on some good fights and the boxers are missing out on some good fights and some good pay days.

imo murray is the best he is the tougher younger and more determined fighter. he mixed it with the then best in his division and got a draw,not a defeat,a draw and in many opinions was ripped off. i can see a young lion of a challenger going to argentina and ripping the title away from a very skillful but probably passed his best martinez

fasteddie wrote:imo murray is the best he is the tougher younger and more determined fighter. he mixed it with the then best in his division and got a draw,not a defeat,a draw and in many opinions was ripped off. i can see a young lion of a challenger going to argentina and ripping the title away from a very skillful but probably passed his best martinez

Macklin proved that Sturm was definitely not near the best in the division anymore and he deserved a win more than Murray did in my opinion. A draw was a fair result in the Sturm - Murray. Martin will give a good account of himself in Argentina but the only belt he will be walking away with is an Armani one.

Personally, I believe Barker is the best out these guys. I would also tip them both to beat Macklin, though it certainly would not be easy.

Barker > Murray > Macklin

I dont think we will truly know until after Murray boxes Martinez, but my opinion as it stands is that Macklin is the better of the 3.

At times against Martinez he looked superb, showed he is more than just a high workrate pressure fighter boxing excellently against a true top dog in the division.

Although Barker made Martinez look poor, he didnt do enough in the fight to make himself look good. that isn't likely to win you many fights against top 10-15 type opponents. Probably the best pure boxer of the 3, and i think injuries have certainly robbed him of hitting his true peak/potential.

Murray could end up going further than the other 2 in the long haul, he has a certain blend of both styles in a balanced measure. if he can make Martinez miss like he did against barker, whilst applying a Macklin like workrate he could pull off a shock or make it very close.

Personally i think we are only a Murray loss away from getting these guys in the domestic fights we have craved, almost round robin like as its an excellent money spinner for them all to fall back on and any winner will springboard themselves back into a title shot probably...

Macklin is a gutsy, hungry fighter would like to see him in with Geale.

Macklin is the best. I find it hard to pick between Murray and Barker for the second spot. Hopefully they actually fight and we will find out because that fight would be a cracker. Throw Andy Lee in there aswell and you have a set of great fights.

i think Barker, but Murray's performance against Strum was cracking and he was unlucky.

Barker out boxes Macklin if he survives the early onslaught.
Murray vs Macklin would be a cracking fight

went with barker.

no injuries he's the best i think.

nice tight defence, decent punch picker.

just a bit tighter than macklin & murray.

just the injury problems though. :>

hitman_hatton1 wrote:went with barker.

no injuries he's the best i think.

nice tight defence, decent punch picker.

just a bit tighter than macklin & murray.

just the injury problems though. :>

Yep agree

Murray No1

Macklin.

Am I right in thinking Andy Lee is with Matchroom now? And if so, does that mean Barker-Lee could be in the works?

It's close but plumped for Murray. It's close between the three though obviously.

Martinez was coasting against both Macklin and Barker. Lets see how Murray does.

I just dont think any of them can be split until they fight,all evenly matched amongst one another,really cant think of a more well balanced trio in the UK and there all world class

Its getting very close !
I think barker edges in skill
Macklin in heart
And Murray a combination of the two but not quite as high !
Hope all 3 fight each other !

I might run this poll again after Murray fights next, and include Andy lee !