Darren Barker vs Daniel Geale - Fight Preview

By James McKnight @jamesmcknight83

BARKER CONFIDENT HE CAN DEAL WITH GEALE, BUT THE AUSSIE SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED!

The boxing season returns on August 17 as Britain’s, Darren “Dazzling” Barker, challenges Australia’s, Daniel “Real Deal” Geale, for the IBF middleweight title. The pair are set to clash at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The Fans Have Voted: Barker Vs Geale

The fans are getting behind 'Dazzling' Darren!

This Saturday is a very big night for British boxing fans, with 2 world titles on the line. Nathan Cleverly defends his WBO light-heavyweight title against hard-hitting Russian Sergey Kovalev in a mouth-watering fight, but what is arguably an even bigger fight for British boxing is Darren Barker's world title challenge against IBF middleweight champ Daniel Geale. The fight will take place in Atlantic City and will be televised live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Sunday morning in the UK.

Darren Barker Vs Simone Rotolo - Post-Fight Report

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Darren Barker vs Simone Rotolo - Fight Preview

By James McKnight - @JamesMcKnight83.

'Dazzling' Darren Barker is only days away from headlining Betfair's 'London's Finest' show at Wembley arena. He faces 37-year-old Italian Simone Rotolo for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental middleweight title on Saturday, 9 March. 

Barker, 24-1-0, 15 KO's, has held the British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles in the past and has also fought on the World stage. 

In October 2011, he took on WBC 'Diamond' middleweight champion Sergio 'Maravilla' Martinez in New Jersey, USA, and gave an excellent account of himself. Barker managed to break Martinez's nose in the contest, but in the 11th round was caught by a solid shot to the head and was unable to beat the count. 

Due to injury, Barker was out of action for just over a year after the loss to Martinez, but returned to winning ways in style at London's Olympia last December. The 30-year-old proved a different class and showed real ferocity in his punches as he battered Wales' Kerry Hope in just 4 rounds. Hope's corner could only throw in the towel just moments after Barker had sent Hope to the canvas. With that win, Barker claimed the vacant IBF Inter-Continental super-middleweight title. 

Darren Barker eyeing big names for his September return!

"Dazzling" Darren Barker.

British middleweight Darren Barker is set to return to the ring in September and he is in need of an opponent.

One of the names mentioned is highly-rated middleweight prospect Grzegorz Proksa. But this can only happen if he wins his European title back in a rematch with fellow British middleweight Kerry Hope on July 7th.

"There was never any chance of me not fighting again," said Barker. You've got to find the balance when looking at my next opponent, but I'm content to carry on where I left off and obviously get back to winning ways before pushing back to the top level. It would be nice to fight Grzegorz Proksa. I wouldn't mind fighting either [Hope or Proksa], but I've got a lot of faith in Eddie Hearn and my team, so we'll wait and see what happens."

Barker against Proksa would be a great comeback fight for Barker and would provide a tough test for the former world title contender. However, there is a much bigger name that Barker is targeting. And that person is WBA world champion Felix Sturm. The German struggled against Matthew Macklin and Martin Murray and Barker reminded him that there is one other top British super-middleweight that he needs to face.

"We've had no offers from him yet," claimed Barker. "But I'd go straight out to Germany for Sturm - no problem."

This would be a much better fight for Barker but personally, I think he should have a few less difficult fights to warm himself up again and then move onto a world title fight.

There is a growing rivalry between Darren Barker, Martin Murray and Matthew Macklin who all believe that they are the best middleweight in Britain. But it looks a long way away until any of them actually meet in the ring. Macklin has repeatedly trash-talked and bad-mouthed his fellow countrymen and Barker is not happy about this.

"It did surprise me a bit to be honest. Myself and Martin deserve more respect because we've proved that we're top level fighters, so to be called a "stepping stone" was quite an insult and is something that will come back to haunt him."

Andy Lee ready for fight night!

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Irish middleweight Andy Lee discusses his return to the ring tomorrow night when he takes on Anthony Fitzgerald at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. He also talks about training with Adam booth and his fellow domestic middleweights. 

Darren Barker Post-Fight Interview

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