LONDON (8th April). Unbeaten British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Dazzling Darren Barker has skipped the Easter eggs ahead of his European title showdown this Friday at the Alexandra Palace in London, which will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 10pm
“I love chocolate like everyone else, but that European title victory will be sweet enough for me this month and I definitely won’t mind it going straight on my hips”. Joked Barker, with a record of 21-0 (14ko). The opportunities are arriving and I intend to grab them with both fists..
His opponent is the tough French Middleweight Champion Affif Belghecham, who recently gave the top Irish middleweight prospect Andy Lee a few nightmares in their 10 round encounter in which Lee eventually won on points.
“I think I can knock this guy out I really do”. Said Barker “My power is really starting to sting opponents as McDermott and Butler would both testify”.
Barker dropped the durable Darren McDermott in just 4 rounds whilst the ever-game Danny Butler was given the first stoppage of his career. Stable mate and reigning unbeaten WBC Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch believes that Barker has the right stuff to give anyone problems at 160lbs.
“I’ve known Darren Barker a long time and he is a very good boxer. The middleweight division is very deep at world level but I believe Barker can put his stamp on the weight class”. Said Froch, who is currently in camp preparing for Mikkel Kessler on April 24th.
“Anyone can see Darren has got very good technical skills and take it from me, he can also get tough when he needs to. He’s got a very good boxing brain and he has that important mindset that you need when fighting on the big stage. I wouldn’t pick anyone against him, he is that good”. Concluded Froch.
Tickets for the show at Alexandra Palace are on sale from the Seetickets box office on 0871 230 7148 or via www.seetickets.com, tickets are priced at £30 for unreserved seating and £60 for ringside.
For further information and ticket details on this event please check out www.hennessysports.com, www.matchroomsport.com, www.seetickets.com
Darren Barker – I’m going to prove I’m the biggest fighter in the country
By Michael Emons – DARREN Barker believes he is ‘the biggest fighter in the country’ – and has vowed to prove it on Friday. Barker, 27, the current British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, has a chance to add the vacant European belt to his collection at Alexandra Palace in north London. He fights former French champion Affif Belghecham, 35, knowing a victory would take him closer to a shot at a world title. “I’ve seen a bit of Belghecham on You Tube and he looks a tough, dangerous opponent,” said Barnet-based Barker, who is undefeated from 21 professional contests.
“But he walks forward so his style suits me down to the ground and I know I’ve got more than enough to beat him.
“I’m in great shape, the shape of my life, and I’ve got the faster hands, movement and skill.
“Winning the European title can open big doors for you and I would get into the top ten in the world rankings. I will be on the verge of a world title shot should I win this.
“But I’m trying to not look too forward although this is an exciting time and a big opportunity for me.
“This will prove myself as a worthy British and Commonwealth Champion and prove to everyone that I’m number one in the country.
“This is a massive chance for me and a great opportunity to showcase my skills and what I’m capable of. I truly believe I’m the biggest fighter in the country at the moment.
“To fight at the Alexandra Palace for the European title is a dream come true and I will put on a good show.
“I live only a couple of stops away from Alexandra Palace so hopefully there will be loads of fans there to cheer me to victory.”
Barker has held the Commonwealth title since November 2007 and secured the British Championship in November when he beat Bristol’s Danny Butler.
The Barker v Belghecham contest is the chief support fight to the main event that sees Audley Harrison and Michael Sprott battle for the vacant European Heavyweight Championship.
Fighting on the undercard are two other former Prizefighter champions as welterweight winner Michael Lomax and light-welterweight champion Gavin Rees are both in action.
Popular light-welterweight Chris Evangelou is also on the bill, as are Tottenham cruiserweight Terry Dunstan, Sunderland heavyweight Danny Hughes, Coventry featherweight Troy James and Merthyr light-welterweight Ryan Evans.
Tickets for the show cost £30 and £60 and are available from www.seetickets.com or 0871 230 7148. All the action is also live on Sky Sports 1 and in HD from 10pm on Friday.