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Barker to set up Golden Age


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http://static.boxrec.com/wiki/b/b3/Barker34.jpgAs boxing fans eagerly anticipate the match-up between British heavyweight pair David Haye and Tyson Fury, it is worth noting that we have often been short changed in recent years, largely down to the increased amount of politics within boxing. It is a sport that has long been more of a business at the top level, something similar to many sports where money has become a more significant factor.

Whilst many fans may be justifiably frustrated, it can also be understood that those who have the opportunity to make serious money from the sport, make as much as they can. Boxers put more on the line than in any other sport and this does give them at least some license to make more from the risks they take when getting into the ring.

How long should they wait, though? Are they justified in avoiding what look like ideal opponents for big match-ups? Sometimes they are justified, as a big fight can become a much bigger fight when a world title is up for grabs. At the same time, some mega fights are missed out on due to waiting too long or holding out for too much. Mayweather v Pacquiao is the greatest example of that, recently.

On British shores, we have been waiting for Carl Frampton to get it on with Scott Quigg. Those two look capable of at least competing at world level, so hopefully once one of them gets a world strap around their waist, it will set up a stadium fight for the talented pair. Then again, it may be another case similar to David Price and Tyson Fury, a fight that now looks far from happening, unless Fury loses to Haye and needs to rebuild in a similar way to Price. If that were to happen, it would be a much smaller affair than was long mooted for them.

On 17th August 2013 we could end up with the world title required to set up a golden era of British middleweight boxing. For some time, we have had at least three men who have campaigned at world level, albeit without capturing a genuine world title between them.

In 2011, the talented trio of Matthew Macklin, Darren Barker and Martin Murray all challenged for world honours and came up short, at least in the eyes of the judges. Macklin and Murray failed on points in Germany against Felix Sturm, both failing on what many saw as home decisions, Murray by the narrowest of margins with a draw. Barker took on what most saw as a tougher test when coming up short with an 11th round stoppage defeat against Sergio Martinez, despite putting up an admirable challenge against the man who was, at the time, number one of the division and in the top three of the pound for pound list.

Despite those brave efforts, it seemed those natural domestic tussles were no closer to happening as all three men preferred to wait for a world title before taking each other on. That wait could be coming to an end as Barker takes on Australian Daniel Geale for the IBF middleweight title.

Since those 2011 efforts by our top British middleweight trio, Macklin has had two more world title attempts, losing in 11 rounds to Martinez and then to the new phenomenon of the division, Gennady Golovkin earlier this year. Murray has had one other title challenge since, taking on Martinez in his home country of Argentina and although there are many who thought the man from St Helens had done enough, it was Martinez who got the nod, although there was a level of controversy about a disallowed knock down of Martinez.

This time it’s Barker’s turn as he takes on Geale in Atlantic City. The very fact that the fight is on neutral ground, gives Barker a better chance than some of the other opportunities where our men had to go to their opponent’s back yards. Geale is an accomplished champion who, last time out, avenged his sole defeat against fellow countryman Anthony Mundine. Geale also has a win over Sturm in Germany, although that has no direct links with Barker being the only one of our trio not to have taken on the German. There are also many who believe that Sturm losing his title was overdue and were not surprised when he finally lost a decision.

It will certainly be no pushover for Barker as Geale has a superb amateur background to add to his excellent pro career. Barker himself, also with only one defeat, has had a similar path to Geale throughout his boxing career and there are a number of direct comparisons which can be made. Although Geale is a worthy champion, he hasn’t had any outstanding wins on his record, except maybe for the Sturm result. Barker may not have done much more but his result and performance against Martinez suggest that he may have the extra quality, especially after the way the Barnet man has seemed to add to his offence since his sole defeat.

Time will tell as to whether Barker is able to make the breakthrough but one thing is for sure, he will have the unusual support from at least two potential future opponents in Murray and Macklin. Not just for the financial benefits that the world title fights would bring between domestic rivals, it would also bring potentially career defining nights, which every boxer yearns. We also have more than our top three fighters at middleweight to look out for. Britain has a wealth in talent in that particular division with the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, John Ryder and Chris Eubank Jr leading the chasing pack, ahead of notable names like Adam Etches and Joe Selkirk, amongst others.

Opinions are varied about who is the domestic top tog. Until they face each other in the squared circle, we will never know, but hopefully we will get the opportunity to find out soon. After Macklin’s latest defeat, there are some who feel he is on the slide but it would be unwise to write off the likeable Birmingham man. I feel that even before the Golovkin fight, Barker and Murray were ahead of Macklin. They both still seem to be improving where Macklin has peaked before them and as so often proves the case in boxing, timing is crucial.

Whatever this writer says about the subject, people will have their own favourites and their own reasons for siding with them. No matter which corner you are in, every British boxing fan should be supporting Barker in his latest world title attempt. If he does pull off the win, British boxing will be the winner, as well as Barker, of course. This really could be the start of a golden era of British middleweights to rival the glory days of Benn, Eubank and co. Let’s hope so.

 

 

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