Darren boxes this overrated chumps ears off before KO'ing him in the last :happy:happy:happy Seriously tho, if he performs well and dont get KTFO early, it will open more doors for him.
He could handle Dirrell's lightning hands in the ams. Not saying he'd definitely beat Martinez but he has a very realistic chance of it.
That's the spirit T! Then a unification with Macklin after he knocks that German chump out in the 3rd :bbb
I'd like to see him against a higher level of competition first, see how he does then. Maybe im wrong but im just not seeing the things in Golovkin that the rest of you are. Power aside he doesnt seem to have a huge arsenal, seems fairly basic to me.
Martinez, via multiple knockdowns on route to an easy fifth round (or so) stoppage. Barker has no chance.
Barker is Euro level and straight forward with little power, Martinez is World class and will take the **** out of him. Koji Sato has more chance than Barker.
I don't fancy his chances in this one by any means, but it's an opportunity that he's got to take if it's presented to him. Matchroom are obviously more ambitious in terms of his career than Mick was, who wouldn't put him in with Elcock despite feeding him to Macklin not long afterwards and left the lad on the shelf for prolonged periods several times. There's a lot of fighters in the division seemingly doing nothing, even if Barker loses but gives a good account of himself it could open a few doors. I wouldn't blame Sergio for taking this either, he's been shafted by the WBC and nobody else wants to know. I'm not sure what his thoughts are on moving up to 168 but it may be necessary in order to tempt people to get in there with him.
Barker could have have 40 fights and not be ready for Martinez. I don't think his handlers will seriously be thinking about him being ready or not. They're either thinking time to cash in and maybe this is a no loss situation. OR, they have some type of delusion and actually think he has a chance.
Credit to Barker for taking the fight. He's a nice guy (no homo) and a tidy boxer. Hope he can win a few rounds and take the fight into the later rounds.
At the end of the day, it's only one man against another and anything can happen. Freak upsets do occur in this sport.