Macklin was close & Murrey was level If our other top 160lb contender went to Germany how do you think he would do?
just about to post this exact question! I think barker wins - his jab is much much better than either Murray or Macklin, and I dont think he allows Sturm to get close and fire off his short bursts
Barker should be able to do it. Blind Sturm with the jab, bomb the guard and hold ring centre or back him up. He has a bit more dig than Murray and a bit more fight in him. Barker was flattered by the Martinez performance. If Martinez didn't bust his nose and opened up earlier his performance would not have looked so good. Sturm could beat Barker too.
My only concern with Barker is his stamina, Sturm however has no workrate so i can see Darren outworking and outclassing to get a straight forward UD, not even the location of the bout would save Sturm IMO.
Barker is more suited to the hands-up boxing that Murray and Macklin have tried to apply. Murray had nothing on his shots, Macklin threw **** loads and tried to get in Sturms face, Barker could possibly outbox Sturm at mid-range but if they're both doing that I pick Sturm to land the better shots and take another close and competitive decision.
Murray got through with the straight right regularly last night but he just had nothing behind them, I was wishing last night consistently that Murray would just try to sit on his shots more and actually cause some damage to Strum. Barker has a very good straight right and would have caused some damage with it, if he could combine the best of Macklins and Murrays performance he could win.
I always thought Barker was the best of the 3 so I'd probably fancy him to just take a decision against Sturm.
Reckon Sturm is sliding a bit he looked troubled by everything that murray landed even though they didnt seem to have much to them.