Barker vs Proksa

Got to go with Barker UD but you never know considering his injuries and layoffs.

 

You're right. Proksa had to vacate it to get the shot at Golovkin's WBA title. I guess Hearn will try to make this for the vacant title?

 

I remember just after Proksa won the rematch with Hope that a lot on here favoured him to beat Barker, I didn't see it back then and I don't now. Barker may take a few rounds to figure the unorthodox Proksa out, but as soon as he does it's going to be pretty one sided imo.

 

Good fight this one, Proksa IMO has only lost to GGG so no shame in that. For me if Barker is at his best he takes this after coming from behind in the early going

 

Good fight. Both in the top 15. Will bring the winner closer to a world title fight.

 

Like who????

 

Good fight. European champion. Legit fighter who won't want to lose for the **** of it. A different style that requires a proper training camp and focus on a strategy. He's just fought for the world title so comparisons will be made.

Decent fight to take him one step further in re-establishing himself as a world title contender.

Barker impressed against Hope so I'm keen to see him fight like that again.

 

Spot on, this fight makes perfect sense at this time. I fancy a Barker UD.

 

I wonder how much the Golovkin fight has taken out of Proksa, it really was a sustained beating.

Barker looked fantastic against Hope, I think he'll outbox Proksa & stop him late on.

 

Jean Marie Sainte is fighting Maxim Bursuk on Feb 3rd for the European. I would imagine this will be for and IBF Inter something. If it gets them in the top 5 its a good thing.

Barker is 8th with the IBF, Prozska is 8 with the WBA and 12 with the WBO.

 

yes with his counter punching

 

Grzegorz Proksa - Darren Barker is an excellent idea.
Proksa needs to prove he belongs in the top 10 of the MW division.
Barker needs to prove he is a serious contender and deserves another title shot.
They really both need to win.

How do they match up?

Proksa
Southpaw stance. His style is sort of Prince Naseem without the coordination. Or Sergio Martinez without the footwork or power. His chin is decent but nothing special. But he is fun to watch. He does not really jab but swings left-right hooks from all angles. Relies on head movement and distance control for defense.

Barker
Conventional stance. Lousy jab. His best weapon is definitely the straight right, which has some power. Is reported to have potential stamina issues. Decent chin - only down twice in his career before the Martinez fight. Defensively he has a tendency to clamshell when facing an offensive fighter.

With regards to power there is little difference between these fighter, both have a 60-70% KO ratio. Both tend to go slower in the late rounds. Both have some kind of defense.

But stylewise these two fighters are interesting. With regards to skill they are limited, but if able to fight in their own way they can be effective. Just watch Proksa dance around Sebastian Sylvester and Barker smack up Kerry Hope. So the outcome of a Proksa-Barker fight will be determined by which of the two can dictate the style and pace of the fight.

Can Proksa move away from Barkers straight right?
Can Barker avoid being made a mobile punching bag by Proksa's hooks?
Can Proksa dictate the fight through faster footwork?
Can Barker adjust like he did against Hope?

I really like this matchup. I must admit I have no clue about who will win it.

 

I think Barker handles him with relative ease, never been that impressed with Proska, it may take a few rounds to get to grips with Proska's unusual style but I think Darren will outbox him to a comfortable points win.

 

Barker UD, as I've said for some time. (I believe since before Hope I)

 

I think Barker wins but it'll be a competitive fight with Proska landing a few punches of his own. I just hope Barker can stay injury free for this and come out unscathed so he can maybe box for another world title at some point. He has the size and power advantage so he should use it and box to a UD or a late stoppage.

They should try and get him a shot at Pirog or Geale, he's not going to fight Martinez again and I'd definitely take either of those over Golovkin who seems heavy handed to say the least,, although Pirog has a bit of a dig too he can be outboxed more easily. Geale/Barker would actually be a good fight as would Geale/Macklin or Barker/Macklin. There are some quality match ups at MW to be made in 2013 I hope some of them happen at least.