Magnificent 7 Predictions: Barker vs Macklin

September 18th at LG Arena in Birmingham for Barker's British & European Middleweight titles on Sky Box Office.

Betting Odds

Barker Evans Macklin 8/11

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"Dazzling" Darren Barker
London, England
27 years old
6,01/2 ft
22-0 (14KO's)
Former Commonwealth Middleweight Champion
Current British & European Middleweight Champion
WBC No.12, WBO No.14
British No.2

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Notable Fights
UD 12 Win Affif Belgecham
TKO 4 Win Darren McDermott

Amateur Career
55-13
Commonwealth Gold 2001

What he said

"I think Matthew's one-dimensional and I'm supremely confident of beating him. I know he can box as you don't reach his level by simply being a roughhouse, but in terms of his all-round ringcraft, boxing ability and handspeed he's just not in my league"​

"I also feel my power is underestimated and I'll definitely get the better of him, I don't believe that it's possible for him to want this more than me."​

"The Tipperary Tornado" Matthew Macklin
Birmingham, England (Dual Irish)
5,10 ft
26-2 (18KO's)
Former Irish, British & European Middleweight Champion
WBC No.5, WBA No.5, IBF No.5, WBO No.8
ESB No.6, The RING No.5
British No.1

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Notable Fights​

TKO 1 Win Amin Asikainen
TKO 3 Win Wayne Elcock
KO 10 Loss Jamie Moore

Amateur Career
2001 ABA Champion

What he said
"I know a lot of people see it as a competitive fight. Everyone's entitled to their opinion and there has certainly been plenty of talk about it but most people said that the fights I had with Wayne Elcock and Amin Asikainen would be 50-50 affairs and I simply blew them away and I believe I will do the same with Barker."

"If I'm honest, I see it as an easy night's work because Barker's not in my league"


The Fight

It's been a long time coming for the two domestic standouts at Middleweight the fight was origionally set for a simular date last year when Macklin was British Champion, however after his then promotional team, The Hatton's, lost out in the purse bids to Barkers promoter Mick Hennesey. The Hatton's and Macklin decided to move onto a higher level and picked up the vacant European title agaisnt highly rated Fin Amin Asikainen.

Since then promotional problems have meant Macklin only boxed once at the end tail end of 2009, while Barker has kept busy picking up the British & European titles, all be it agaisnt limited opposition. His European title win against Belgecham in April was far from impressive, although he took the fight at short notice.

Macklin had fights with Winky Wright, Sergio Mora and a US promotional deal fall through, and after giving up an IBF eliminator to pursure the bigger fight with Barker, purse bids were won by promoter of neither fighter Frank Warren for £125,600 (split 60/40 in Barkers favour) who put the fight in Macklin's home town Birmingham. Macklin may have the home support, but Barker is expected to bring up to 4,000 fans from London and there noise could outweigh the locals.

Its a real 50-50 fight. Some say Macklin has more expirience, but others would claim it makes Barker the fresher fighter. Theres questions about Barker's chin, but Macklin is the one with the stoppage loss. Macklin is seen as a bigger puncher and brawler, but his boxing skills are underrated. Barker is seen as the classy boxer, who's fighting heart and power is underrared. Macklin will have the world class Freddy Roach in his corner, but he has had as many trainers as JJB sports, so Barkers long term relationship with Tony Simms may be a key factor.

Seen as the biggest all British fight at the weight since Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank, which took place in the same city 20 years ago, the winner will move on to World level and push towards joining David Haye and Amir Khan at the top of British boxing, while the loser will drop back to domestic level.

Cleverly vs Murat - [url]http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247758[/url]
Macciranelli vs Frenkel - [url]http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247975[/url]
Rhodes vs Konecny - [url]http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248266[/url]
Brook vs Jennigns - [url]http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248229[/url]
Chisora vs Sexton - [url]http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7574302#post7574302[/url]

 

Macklin late stoppage for me, I can see him bringning the fight to Barker and being too strong for Barker to keep him off. Really looking forward to this one.

 

Barker points

 

Macklin points

 

Macklin stoppage for me I think he is a level above barker tbh who is slightly overrated by his large fanbase should be a good fight though can't wait

 

On what basis is Macklin a level above? Since being brutally knocked out by Moore, he's beaten a shot Asakainen with a decent left hook. Apart from Moore, he's never faced anyone on Barker's level. I Think he's getting a bit too confident because he's part of the wildcard gym.

 

Macklin mid to late stoppage I'm at a mates wedding on the 18th absolutely gutted.

 

Im sorry but Macklin has faced a higher level of opposition and looked impressive Aiskinen and Elcock are good wins. Barker stepped up his opposition and didnt look his best against belgecham.

I think Macklin has that bit more that makes him fringe world level whereas Barker is a more solid European level imo

 

Barker on points but the fight is very hard to call.

 

Macklin late TKO.

Rob, you gonna do this sort of thing for all the 7 fights? I'm interested to know what the people here think of the other fights. Still unsure on some of the fights where to put my money :think

 

yeh gonna do another one today which one you fancy?

 

Really fancy Barker to knock him out

 

Any one out of Clev-Murat, Enzo-Frenkel and Brooks-Jennings mate. I don't know much about Murat and Frenkel, would be good to hear the opinions of people who know more about them. :good

 

With 5/2 on Murat I will definitely be investigating whether he can actually fight.

 

Macklin by TKO. I haven't been that impressed with Barker so far. Macklin is at least a level above Barker's best previous opposition.