How good is Darren Barker?

[Mattf450]

How far can he go? Who on the world scene can he beat?

[Dan684]

Sturm :deal

[mryeags]

Everyone .. i personally think hes that good ....

[barry big balls]

Very average boxer , doesnt stand out in any one department will be very lucky to make it out of europe titles, i could be wrong......

[rooq]

Very average boxer , doesnt stand out in any one department will be very lucky to make it out of europe titles, i could be wrong......

very average using what as your basis?

[Grendal]

Thought Darren looked good today. He`s stylish and doesn`t take risks. He might be vulnerable under pressure as he likes to be given time and space, but he looks progressive.

[DON1]

Good fighter buts lets see him in there tested. He needs to now fight some real fighters then we can see how good he is.

[barry big balls]

very average using what as your basis?
Darren barker at the age of 27 hasnt beat anyone in the top 40, he was put down twice by a bum called macintosh who had 6 wins and 16 losses. his fight tonight doesnt even count because the guy butler who is nobody himself only had a week to train himself....... darren barker has done absolute nothing to warrant a rating of any kind.

[somerset]

Sounds like your just reading his record rather than watching him fight...

[TFFP]

His competition is woeful no doubt. I'd like to see him under a bit of pressure because he seems to lack hurtful power, and he likes to box at his own pace and rhythm. I'd like to see him thrown out of that by a tough foe and see how he deals with it.

He's ready for some decent opponents. How about a Sam Soliman, Mahir Oral or Domenico Spada? I'd like to see somebody of that ilk.

[Losfer_Words]

Good fighter buts lets see him in there tested. He needs to now fight some real fighters then we can see how good he is.

Completely agree:good. Chillax on the hype, people - we don't even know if he's the best at 160 in the UK yet. Very tidy fighter, though.

[Little Tyson]

I guess he looked very disciplined tonight. We have to see him against quality opposition. I personally think Macklin would beat Barker. He's not as good as Rawling was making him out to be however saying he will definetly be PPV and all.

[richard mossley]

ITV make a huge fuss about him, but I saw nothing special.

[NO MAS]

I think that Darren Barker is a quality operator and is heading down the right path...He has made excellent progress since the tragic death of his brother.

I think that when the questions are asked he will answer them. Darren Barker has all the shots and great condition. I would like to see him take one on the whiskers at the Championship level...

It will be good to see Barker and Macklin when the money is right and both fighters have got their respectives titles on the line...:good

[robpalmer135]

will be along time before he fights for a world title if he stays with hennesey.

[robpalmer135]

Darren barker at the age of 27 hasnt beat anyone in the top 40, he was put down twice by a bum called macintosh who had 6 wins and 16 losses. his fight tonight doesnt even count because the guy butler who is nobody himself only had a week to train himself....... darren barker has done absolute nothing to warrant a rating of any kind.

twice in 1 round from being knocked down by a flash shot and was still hurt. came back to win by stoppage.

i cant think of other fighters that have got knocked down in there careers and gone onto do well.................Khan, Froch, Haye are only world champions!!!

[barry big balls]

twice in 1 round from being knocked down by a flash shot and was still hurt. came back to win by stoppage.

i cant think of other fighters that have got knocked down in there careers and gone onto do well.................Khan, Froch, Haye are only world champions!!!
The guy who hurt him and put him down had 6wins 16 losses what more do i have to say... elcock would have been a real good test for him .... until he beats someone worth talking about stop with the hype because he aint shit until hes tested.

[GladiatoR]

The guy who hurt him and put him down had 6wins 16 losses what more do have to say... elcock would have been a real good test for him .... until he beats someone worth talking about stop with the hype because he aint shit until hes tested.

Here comes Barry..

:lol:

[TommyV]

He's fundamentally solid and that's a great start. Nice jab and works the right hand well behind it, good timing and accurate punching. Needs to bring a little more variety into his arsenal in using the left hook and body-punching a bit more. And when Butler pressured him in round one, it got all very scrappy. He tries to tie up but usually ends up letting one hand go and getting hit round the side and back of the head until the ref splits them apart. Needs to move laterally more when getting pressured and then reset him so he can keep popping the jab and 1-2's.

[barry big balls]

Here comes Barry..

:lol:
I heard jaime moore moved up to middle let barker and moore battle it out then the winner takes on macklin. macklin is tied up until next year after next weeks fight then pirog as mandatory.

[cityofgod]

People who camp out on this forum and declare that "they see nothing special" about Barker have not got a clue what they are looking at.

Go buy some gloves, go try some sparring and learn about boxing.

cyber nerds.

[barry big balls]

People who camp out on this forum and declare that "they see nothing special" about Barker have not got a clue what they are looking at.

Go buy some gloves, go try some sparring and learn about boxing.

cyber nerds.
Jaime moore, mattew macklin,john duddy, and even andy lee beat barker right now. and i only have 55 posts and i train 3 times a week not professional or amateur but i have experience yes.

[Mandanda]

I like Barker but if i was managing him i would want to see some more technical improvements and also a nice step up. There's no rush he needs some good international contests against Live opponents. He has a few nasty habits that i'm not keen on but there's also some sweet boxing at times. He can win a world title i think by time he's 29 i think he could be challenging with success at the moment he's far to green and untested. Very good head on shoulders though...seems the type to time his pursuit right.

[Guy]

Keeps a calm head, utilises his all his skills judging of distance taking centre ring etc and has a nice range of shots, looks very accomplished to me every time I see him.

Excellent boxer.

I personally think if he could weather the early Mackin power shot storm he'd outbox him

[Unforgiven]

He's not world class until he proves it.
He's proved very good against his opponents so far though.

Last time I saw him on ITV against Darren McDermott they were saying he'd be a good domestic or European title prospect fighter but they had no idea whether he'd make it to world class. But tonight they were bigging him up well out of proportion. :huh
Blatant effort to hype him.

[GazOC]

Very good boxer but I think he may lack that something special to move into true world class. Euro level/ maybe world top 10 for me.

[RebelBhoy]

He's not world class until he proves it.
He's proved very good against his opponents so far though.

Last time I saw him on ITV against Darren McDermott they were saying he'd be a good domestic or European title prospect fighter but they had no idea whether he'd make it to world class. But tonight they were bigging him up well out of proportion. :huh
Blatant effort to hype him.

If that was ITV's swansong in boxing, why bother hyping him?

[TommyV]

We seem to be forgetting, this is a weak division. Euro level IS world level at MW at the moment. Pavlik is the only elite operator, and even he's lost something of late. Macklin has put himself right in the frame, and it wasn't long ago that he was around this sort of domestic level.

[TFFP]

It might be weak in terms of proven names but Barker is just one of about a half dozen top quality prospects all of which are likely to move faster than him under Hennessy. Is he better than Golovkin, Pirog, Jacobs, N'dam or hell, Korobov will probably get to a world title before Barker !

I doubt it, as Gaz says he lacks a little something. Maybe power is that missing ingridient, if he was sparking people out as well as looking quite slick he'd look a bit special.

[Unforgiven]

If that was ITV's swansong in boxing, why bother hyping him?

I dont know why. All I know is that they evaluated him a lot more modestly just one fight ago. Maybe they just had a change of heart. It seemed like an effort to hype him, but, as you say, they have no real motive.

[RebelBhoy]

It could just be a personal bias as he has done a lot of work for ITV? The individuals there maybe like him and believe him when he tells us he is that good. Perhaps the elevation of Macklin in recent months to potential world title contender has a lot to do with it as well when it was only a few months back when they were touted to face off against each other.

[Beeston Brawler]

Maybe the guys decided to give Barker a send off, of sorts?

It's a shame that ITV have pulled out, Rosenthal gets a lot of stick but IMO he does a great job, better than Dave Darts by far.

McGuigan is variable, sometimes he is spot on, other times he seems vendetta driven almost...... but seems a good guy generally.

Don't go, ITV!

Hennessy has really blown it obviously, got a two year, 20-odd show deal with ITV, and but for the first six months or so of that deal has completely fucked up. Fights not made, or made at the wrong time, just an epic fail.

All the other players are in bed with Sky, so unless someone comes up out of nowhere it seems we are back to one broadcaster :-(

[achillesthegreat]

Not good enough.

[Unforgiven]

Yeah, I think they were showing support for Barker. Looking at the glass as half full, rather than half empty. That's fair enough, he's done good so far. Barker of all people probably deserves them helping him blow his trumpet, but I did notice a marked difference in what they were saying just one fight ago (quite reticent about any "world title" talk, then).
I dont begrudge them doing so with Barker though.

Generally though, I get tired of this cycle of "hype them up" and "tear them down". Eg. Tyson Fury is still on the "hype up", Audley Harrison's been hyped up and broken down like a yo-yo ........ fighters being spoken about in ways miles outside of their current standing. All the pundits get too involved in the hyperbolic statements - Bunce, McGuigan, all of them.

[RebelBhoy]

One thing from the ITV coverage was Butler backing towards the camera all the time. His shorts had the Hatton promotions logo. His backside blocked out any trace of the Hennessy banner hanging from the ceiling. .....No biggie, but it raised a smile.

[robpalmer135]

its quite clear those on hear that rate barker are the ones that have a clue about the sport, and those that dont rate him just wanna see a tear up and have no idea about the sweet science.

Barker does all the basics extremly well, which you cannot say about even world class fighters. The things he does well are suttle and do not stand out, but he is a very effective fighter. That 1-2 combination is pure quality.

Sometimes you gotta look at it this way. If you watched Ricky Hatton, Gavin Rees, Enzo Macceranelli, Alex Arthur, Carl Froch, Junior Witter first 20 fights, and said they would be a world champion, people would of laughed. So to say Barker being a world champ is ludicrous is well............ludicrous

[barry big balls]

its quite clear those on hear that rate barker are the ones that have a clue about the sport, and those that dont rate him just wanna see a tear up and have no idea about the sweet science.

Barker does all the basics extremly well, which you cannot say about even world class fighters. The things he does well are suttle and do not stand out, but he is a very effective fighter. That 1-2 combination is pure quality.

Sometimes you gotta look at it this way. If you watched Ricky Hatton, Gavin Rees, Enzo Macceranelli, Alex Arthur, Carl Froch, Junior Witter first 20 fights, and said they would be a world champion, people would of laughed. So to say Barker being a world champ is ludicrous is well............ludicrous
Look darren barker is decent boxer who does everything well but he has no outstanding qualitys that show us boxings fans that he can defeat anyone in the top 10.+ he looks like a light middle to me.

[Bodysnatcher]

Maybe the guys decided to give Barker a send off, of sorts?

It's a shame that ITV have pulled out, Rosenthal gets a lot of stick but IMO he does a great job, better than Dave Darts by far.

McGuigan is variable, sometimes he is spot on, other times he seems vendetta driven almost...... but seems a good guy generally.

Don't go, ITV!

Hennessy has really blown it obviously, got a two year, 20-odd show deal with ITV, and but for the first six months or so of that deal has completely fucked up. Fights not made, or made at the wrong time, just an epic fail.

All the other players are in bed with Sky, so unless someone comes up out of nowhere it seems we are back to one broadcaster :-(

Totally agree.

I enjoy everything about ITV's set up and it's a real loss for the sport in this country.

I hate how the Sky behemoth crushes everything in front of it.

But that's the financial reality I suppose.

[anjawnaymiz]

i would like to see barker in with a banger, this idea of barker vs moore and the winner gets macklin sounds perfect to me! both sturm and sylvester are winnable fights for barker and macklin although it wouldnt suprise me if macklin gets iced by pirog early next year, but they can forget about pavlik.

anyone seen Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam fight? i hear this geezers pretty handy but needs to step up, could be a future opponent for barker.

[mryeags]

its quite clear those on hear that rate barker are the ones that have a clue about the sport, and those that dont rate him just wanna see a tear up and have no idea about the sweet science.

Barker does all the basics extremly well, which you cannot say about even world class fighters. The things he does well are suttle and do not stand out, but he is a very effective fighter. That 1-2 combination is pure quality.

Sometimes you gotta look at it this way. If you watched Ricky Hatton, Gavin Rees, Enzo Macceranelli, Alex Arthur, Carl Froch, Junior Witter first 20 fights, and said they would be a world champion, people would of laughed. So to say Barker being a world champ is ludicrous is well............ludicrous

A last someone who knows :good..... Barker a clasy operator who lands with very quick hands . Deceptive power as well . I rate him better than anyone at the moment in europe and fo me a future world title challenger .

[No Fear]

Solid jab but occasionally drops the right when throwing it.

A bit of a headhunter. Could do with a bit of variety.

No lateral movement.

No head movement.

Doesn't possess explosive power.


Definitely needs to move up to the European level but as has been pointed out, the European level is world level at the moment, such is the state of the division.

Good luck to him.

[Mazallan]

I really rate Barker. Darren has alot of class and seems to be improving to a level where he can really go on and have some big fights. The level of competition is decent but right now he needs to step up to euro level while his performances are hot.

I wish him all the best.

[Tony Bellew]

I rate Barker I think the kid has bags of skill BUT looks a bit leaky defence wise?? His arms open right up after every combination like a matador after the bull runs through the red cape.. Besides that I really do rate him!! I don't think he has a chance with Macklin like but I think he'll pick up that European strap when Macklin vacates it.;)

[GazOC]

its quite clear those on hear that rate barker are the ones that have a clue about the sport, and those that dont rate him just wanna see a tear up and have no idea about the sweet science.

Barker does all the basics extremly well, which you cannot say about even world class fighters. The things he does well are suttle and do not stand out, but he is a very effective fighter. That 1-2 combination is pure quality.

Sometimes you gotta look at it this way. If you watched Ricky Hatton, Gavin Rees, Enzo Macceranelli, Alex Arthur, Carl Froch, Junior Witter first 20 fights, and said they would be a world champion, people would of laughed. So to say Barker being a world champ is ludicrous is well............ludicrous

"And most arrogant post of the day goes to........"

And if emulating Gavin Rees and Alex Arthur is the extent of Barkers ambitions then he may well fulfill them....

[Olu G. Rotimi]

I like Super Darren Barker a lot. First saw him fight at Elephant an Castle som years back as a novice prot. Very good technical fighter as you would expect from someone with his amateur pedigree. He will defintely win the European title to go with his Britih title and has in my opinion a grea chance of becoming world champion. I don't wan o put pressure on him but I will say this that he is the best technical British born fighter operating today. People can talk about the likes of Cleverley and Khan but the young guys I am most impressed by Barker and John Murray.

[kosaros]

"And most arrogant post of the day goes to........"

:lol:

[Losfer_Words]

"And most arrogant post of the day goes to........"

Hold your horses, Gaz, I haven't had a chance to say that I don't rate Barker purely because he's a cockney. Fuck cockneys:D.

































































Let's see how that goes down;). I'll point out that it was a joke before anyone in the East gets a bit excited, though.

[GazOC]

:lol:

Robs taken 3 paragraphs to say "If you don't agree with me then you must n't know much about boxing".

Athough, to be fair, the last one does go on to say that Barkers subtle skills, that the ignorant masses find so hard to fully appreciate, are so sublime that he may well be as good as Gavin Rees and Big Enzo in a few fights time .;)

[BURNLEYBLUE]

Class act. Does everything well.Watching him fight makes me want to get down the gym.
Brilliant jab. A joy to watch after that excuse for a fight on Friday night.
Class act outside the ring too. Hope he goes on to win a world title.

[GazOC]

Yeah, he seems a decent bloke.

[kieron]

He looks like one of those guys that's very good technically and in a subtle way that the casual will not always appreciate. Does everything very well but not flashy and doesn't carry a bingo punch. That said I don't think he needs one. i reckon better and better opponents will bring more out of him and he just looks like he has the total package to go all the way, the right mentality too

[Grievesy]

I think he's a very good boxer. Good handspeed, good technically. He's not a power puncher by any means but he has some pop in his punches. I don't like how he opens his arms up when he steps back, hopefully that can be rectified. He needs to step up now and fight some better opposition. I think he should make Euro level at least, possibly a title shot in a year or two.

Plus he's a top bloke as well. I like him and hope he goes far!

[liamo1982]

Im still undecided. His Jab certinally looks world class thus far.But his explosive power does not seem that of Macklin. I certinally think he deserves to step up to the next level.

[robpalmer135]

Have heard people say Macklin will beat him but nobody has said why. remember it was Macklins people that ducked the fight.

[threethirteen]

its quite clear those on hear that rate barker are the ones that have a clue about the sport, and those that dont rate him just wanna see a tear up and have no idea about the sweet science.

Barker does all the basics extremly well, which you cannot say about even world class fighters. The things he does well are suttle and do not stand out, but he is a very effective fighter. That 1-2 combination is pure quality.

Sometimes you gotta look at it this way. If you watched Ricky Hatton, Gavin Rees, Enzo Macceranelli, Alex Arthur, Carl Froch, Junior Witter first 20 fights, and said they would be a world champion, people would of laughed. So to say Barker being a world champ is ludicrous is well............ludicrous

Rob, are you suggesting that you "have a clue" abut boxing, because several of your posts suggest that you don't.

[robpalmer135]

Rob, are you suggesting that you "have a clue" abut boxing, because several of your posts suggest that you don't.

I am more suggesting that people who can't recognize Barker has legit world class potential do not have a clue.

To those that say he should be at Light middle, not everyone has to be a beast at there weight to do well.

[warrior85]

macklin beats him imo.great fight that tho.

[mryeags]

Barker beats macklin .... IMO ... Barker has skill to wear down opponents with accurate punching power ... He doesnt possess one KO punch power but would wear Macklin down for a late stoppage ....

[TFFP]

Beating Macklin hardly makes you world class mind. Macklin has knocked out a former European champ at the tail end of his career who had a glass jaw. It's a domestic fight really.

I do doubt Barker's chin and his power.

[robpalmer135]

Beating Macklin hardly makes you world class mind. Macklin has knocked out a former European champ at the tail end of his career who had a glass jaw. It's a domestic fight really.

I do doubt Barker's chin and his power.

How do you work out Amin has a glass jaw. He got stopped late by world class opponents. Amin was weight drained so bad for the Macklin fight. he is going to 168lbs and will win the European title there.

[Derrytucker]

Barker beats macklin .... IMO ... Barker has skill to wear down opponents with accurate punching power ... He doesnt possess one KO punch power but would wear Macklin down for a late stoppage ....

I like barker, good skilful boxer, reckon hes a solid euro level fighter but i think macklin wins by late stoppage. Sayin that lets see how he does when he starts facing tougher opposition.

[mryeags]

I like barker, good skilful boxer, reckon hes a solid euro level fighter but i think macklin wins by late stoppage. Sayin that lets see how he does when he starts facing tougher opposition.

Just watching him box there seems to be room for improvement as well ...hes not a finished article so i think he gets better and thats why i think he could beat Macklin !

[Danny]

Matthew Macklin would have told us just how good Darren Barker is. I hope that one still happens!

Barker-Macklin would be a war!

[mryeags]

Beating Macklin hardly makes you world class mind. Macklin has knocked out a former European champ at the tail end of his career who had a glass jaw. It's a domestic fight really.

I do doubt Barker's chin and his power.

Glass jaw seems a tad harsh ! .. Amin had been in with good fighters and lasted the distance .... but im making a case for Macklin which isnt what I wanna do !!! :patsch

Barker doesnt have one punch KO power but hes unrelenting he lands consistently with good power and grinds opponents down ... as for his chin well nobody has landed flush yet but i know he went down a couple of times as a rookie ....

[Derrytucker]

Just watching him box there seems to be room for improvement as well ...hes not a finished article so i think he gets better and thats why i think he could beat Macklin !

Fair enough, be good competitive though. If Lee v macklin doesnt materialize lets have macklin v barker for euro title early in 2010!