Well done Darren, you achieved what many of us fans aspire to do and did it with courage and dignity. Have a good retirement http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/9117175/former-ibf-world-middleweight-champion-:happydarren-barker-confirms-retirement-from-boxing
Shame, he was for a short time a real player in the mix in a middleweight division - both on the global scene but also domestically in microcosm - that was looking deep (in terms of solid if not elite pound for pound talent) and full of fun possibilities... but his body couldn't hold together long enough for him to capitalize on his abilities. The eardrum, the hip, and the slew of prior injuries...it just wasn't meant to be. His DNA wasn't coded for combat sports into his thirties. Commonwealth (defended 4x), Euro, and IBF world champ - not too shabby. He will be remembered as being a classy operator with a fine jab, good technical abilities and all-around attributes, boxing particularly well on the outside up to mid-range at the nearest...and despite both of his losses coming by stoppage and the conspicuous knockdowns (body shot by Geale, who is seen as being a light hitter as champions go...and twice at the hands of unheralded 5'7" McIntosh...) he should be remembered for his toughness and resiliency - at least in the mental part of the game. If he were physically hardy to boot he may have accomplished even more than he did, which is still eminently respectable for an athlete of barely above average speed, power and athleticism. He was, for me, the best of his UK peers and if fit and healthy would have bested Murray or Macklin (or Lee, or McEwan early, or Saunders later on...) if they ever met as so often discussed. In their respective challenges of common foe Sergio Gabriel Martinez, IMO Barker placed above Macklin but lower than Murray. (Barker vs. Macklin comparison here: http://www.boxingforum24.com/showthread.php?t=388768 ...I had Martinez vs. Barker level at 95 apiece before the stoppage, Martinez vs. Macklin 97-92 Martinez entering the 11th and 107-99 afterward, and Martinez vs. Murray was 115-112 Murray on my card...)
:deal We are a small group of rational Barker-appreciators.[/quote] It would be churlish to even remotely criticise Barker at this time - so I'm not going to. However the last paragraph of Buttsys requiem to Darren is a bit, how shall I say, "Over the top"! Of course we should speak well of Barker at this time, but lets try and at least maintain SOME relationship with reality.