04.05.06 – 2002 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Darren Barker still intends to take a step closer to challenging for the British light middleweight title on the Hennessy Sports ‘TWENTY:FOUR’ event at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on May 12th, despite the withdrawal of Darren Rhodes from their scheduled eliminator for the Championship..
“Naturally, I’m disappointed that he’s pulled out,” the 23-year-old said on hearing the news. “But it’s not the end of the world. I am still boxing next week and will hopefully still get at least another eight rounder under my belt.”
That is all he feels he needs in order for him to be able to take his first step into Championship class
“I know I have only had nine professional fights, but I think I am almost ready to fight any of the British light middleweights,” Barker continued.
“People talk about fighters being prepared to make a step up in class, but I think a lot of that is all psychological and I have always been very strong psychologically.
“I think if you have demonstrated that you are good enough at a certain level a few times, then you are good enough. It’s as simple as that. I don’t see the point in me hanging around fighting meaningless 6 rounders against journeyman; I’m not going to learn anything that way.
“I would have no worries about facing the winner of the Facey-Hall eliminator, (for the British title), straight after my next fight. I would be very, very confident going in against either.
“The only thing I may be lacking is a few rounds. It will be good to have another fight scheduled for at least 8 so that I can get more experience of pacing myself differently, even if it doesn’t go all the way.”
With that behind him, he would also be confident of a win over current British champion Jamie Moore, who is next scheduled to defend against Matthew Macklin.
“I would be comfortable fighting Jamie, or Matthew should he get the title,” Barker added. “I think that both are good fighters, but they have reached their level. I am on my way up and going past that level; onto Commonwealth, European and I think world titles.”
To stand him in good stead for his assault on the traditional title path always advocated by Hennessy Sports, the Chelsea fan recently headed out on training camp to Tenerife with trainer Tony Sims and gym-mate Dave Stewart. Whilst conditioning has never been an issue, he still found room for improvement.
“That was the hardest two weeks of my life,” admitted Barker, who moved to 9-0 last time out with an impressive second round stoppage of the normally durable Frenchman Louis Mimone. “We trained three times a day and Tony drove us real hard. I’m knackered. But it was well worth it; I am in the shape of my life.”
Barker is not the only Hennessy Sports team member to have an opponent withdraw from a Championship fight scheduled for May 12th. Matthew Thirlwall will now take the opportunity to rest a minor niggling injury following Ryan Kerr’s decision to pull out of their final eliminator for the English middleweight title.
The event is, however, still co-headlined by ‘TWENTY:FOUR’ rounds of old school action for vacant British titles. Hennessy Sports promoted Lenny Daw’s take on Nigel Wright at light welterweight whilst team members and friends Lee Meager and Dave Stewart meet for the lightweight crown.
TWENTY:FOUR takes place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday May 12th 2006. For the latest bill please visit www.HennessySports.com. Tickets priced £75 and £35 are on sale with Ticketmaster on 0870 060 1795.