Darren Barker...

The division reminds me of Haglers reign around 1983-1985. A champ that was clearly better than his contenders but still a lot of interesting fights to be made in the division with the contenders waiting for the champ to get old.

Back then there was only 2/3 titles and Hagler had the lot of them but the situation stagnated the division a little, Hagler was fighting once a year, the young guns were waiting for him to get old but unwilling to fight each other for fear of losing their ranking.

(Not that I'm putting Hagler and Martinez on a level as middleweight champs!)

 

Darren's struggled to put back to back fights together, I think a decent warm up and then head for another title shot if possible. We really don't know how much these injuries have taken out of him.

 

I dont think Darren needs to be taking warm-ups. He's just as likely to get injured against a no mark. The gym is where he can do his preparation, get him in with someone decent.

 

Agree Will, he's what? 30? 31? And injury prone. Time to just get on with it at top level and see what happens.

 

I disagree, I wouldn't want to go into a world title fight wondering if i can do the simple things which is what Barker has had issues with physically due to the constant problem. Ok a fight may not make a difference but fighters are all different and ring rust isn't something you want to shed against a world class fighter plus coming off a knock out loss i think he'd look to just get back into swing of things. It's a give and take argument i suppose.

I think he'll take a warm up in September and try push for something in early 2013. He's still not that old but he probably knows this is his last real chance. Has to be done correctly from now on. September is a 12 rounder so maybe the winner of Hope-Proska.

 

Yeah, Mand. I disagree but both sides are arguable.

 

He just needs to get on with it. I've never been a fan of warm up fights. Just get tougher sparring.

 

Doesn't always work like that Will IMO, Sparring is sparring and many fighters will tell you that you can't beat a proper fight for various reasons. Getting good quality sparring isn't always going to happen either. He'll want to get back under the lights, back to gauging his range and going through the gears again.

I think the fight on September 8th will be a notable one. No soft touches but a fight he should win. But i don't expect September 8th to be a world title tilt.

 

I'm still gonna disagree. Range and timing can be sorted out in the gym.

Its true nothing compares to a fight but thats more down to the pressure of the occassion etc.

 

Think we'll agree to disagree , Fighters are all different if Darren fancies a warm up against the winner of Hope-Proska then fair play to him IMO.

 

The winner of Hope-Proksa (Which should be Proksa by a country mile) will not be a warm up.

Proksa will be a big big test for Darren!!!

 

Well for me if he's looking to operate at world title level again and to me fighting for European title again is a warm up in grand scheme of things. Proska or Hope will be a solid test for Darren but i think Proska before the defeat to Hope was in love with his power. Proska should be Hope in the rematch i agree but i think the loss showed a lot what is wrong with Proska.

 

I can see what you mean with the power thing. He has a style a little like martinez without the speed. Regardless of what is on the line however Proksa will be a tough fight for Darren. Darrens height will be the main challenge for Proksa,

 

Agree with you Will, I think Proska will be dangerous for the 12 rounds. It's a real European title fight if it happens. So many times we see British lads fight low level guys for European title. Proska could easily win a world title in future. I think it was a bad night at office against Hope.