Jr looks like he improved some, but Barker is getting massively underrated. If the loss to Sergio didnt affect him too much and fought the way he did vs Sergio Barkers tough defensive technical style would be tough to crack even for someone like a Lee or Quillen. Lee has greatly improved too, but if it becomes a toe to toe war Id slightly favor Chavez. Barker too smart for Jr. Hes better off fighting Lee, Quillen, or Rubio.
Lee is not the most skillfull at 160 but he is always dangerous because he can pull a ko out of nowehere and he has never met the canvas. Now Barker might be able to match chavez Jr for skill but he is less likely to get a ko. I think on really neutral ground Barker would get it but top rank don't need to worry about neutral ground when chavez is fighting. I mean if Barker does not win by 6 rounds or more the judges will find a way to hand it to chavez JR. I don't dislike chavez Jr but fighting anywhere along the west coast or the south USA may as well be in mexico and with Top rank their boy's dont lose on points in general unless is it so obvious that its a shut out.
Everyone should chill out. Barker is a once beaten fighter whose only loss was to a highly regarded 160lb champion in Sergio Martinez- and it's not like he performed poorly in that fight. In contrast, Lee lost to a capable, but limited journeymen in Brian Vera- and it's not like the flaws that resulted in that loss have been completely eliminated. Darren Barker may not inspire, but he's a good, tough fundamentally sound guy who is capable of causing a lot of middleweights some difficulty. Lee might have more personality, and be more exciting...But in the scheme of things, if Chavez Jr. defeated him, his detractors would claim that Lee was an untested fighter anyway. There are far, far worse match-ups that could be made, to be honest.
People saying Barker is better than Lee - I'd say it's more about Lee being capable of the ko whereas Barker probably wont. Barker will give chavez a tough night though, will be close fight but i think Chavez will get the decision, rightly or wrongly
Darren Barker is a decent opponent but like everyone says it'll likely be a home town decision. There's no way Top Rank would be willing to put Chavez in with Lee on March 17 in MSG.
That's exactly my point. I respect all 3 fighters obvously. Styles make fights and in this case top rank belive JCCJR is better suited to Barker than Lee. I think JCCJR wins UD wrongly. But I wouldn't be surprised if Barker won it either. People can say oh Lee would beat JCCJR and Barker woudl beat LEE etc. The truth is if you ask the bookies their not likely to make one a clear favourite over the other in my opinion. The same goes for a lot in the top 10 at 160. There is not much between them. that's why this division is packed with potential. It's also the reason why heavweight sucks at the moment.
I'd say Barker is better than Lee at this point, but the thing that swings it is a single performance, i agree its really tight at middleweight, very good division right now.
Yea I agree. Barker has one of the best jabs out there and if he was able to catch a speedy fast southpaw like Sergio and didnt respect Sergio hes going to give Jr a schooling. Lee has good foot movement now, a great southpaw jah, and defense and because of that hes alot tougher to beat, but what he did to a face first fighter like Vera he wont vs Barker. Barker gained alot of fans and respect the night he fought Sergio. I think he might of beaten any other fighter not named Sergio or Golovkin.
Any other time, I would think this is a a decent fight. But it's just pathetic that Chavez Jr is fighting the loser of Martinez vs Barker instead of the winner while still calling himself a world champion. The sad part is that if Sulaiman keeps his word, not only will Chavez be ducking Martinez to fight the loser of Martinez vs Barker, but he'll be also be losing his belt to fight the loser of Martinez vs Barker.
i feel Chavez Ko's Lee who has never really impressed me that much I think Barker has the boxing ability to really trouble Chavez, if he was able to give the speedy Martinez fits he will be able to do very well vs Chavez