By Michael Mcneill: Argentina’s pound for pound star Sergio Martinez looks set take on Britain’s Darren Barker after Tweets between both camps today lead to a deal being struck.
Martinez’s promoter Lou DiBella originally used the social networking site to entice Barker’s camp, taunting Matchroom Sports head of boxing Eddie Hearn’s earlier; “Eddie, call me if you can, so we can arrange for @darrenbarker to get spanked! I respect Darren’s balls and confidence.”
Hearn obviously obeyed orders as he eventually announced “Terms agreed..will await contract. Look forward to working with you again Lou. Barker fans on tour”.
Barker, who hails from London, is the European Middleweight Champion coming off a fair performance in which he bounced back from an injury induced lay off by out pointing Domineco Spadda. After being discussed as a potential opponent for WBC Belt holder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, he has no doubt landed a tougher of the two tasks. Martinez is the Ring Magazine 160 pound belt holder and despite being stripped of his alphabet honors, is undoubtedly regarded as the top middleweight on the planet.
With Date and Venue still to be revealed and contract’s to be agreed, fans will be debating this match up already and no doubt heavily favoring the Champion who has looked in blistering form in his last two outings, avenging defeat by cold cocking Paul Williams in what was one of the biggest shocks of 2010, before picking up the dubious WBC “Diamond Belt” by puncturing Serhiy Dzinziruk in a blaze of speed and unavoidable accuracy. A good performance could propel Barker to the elite of the division and open the door for further opportunities, while for Martinez, on paper this looks like no more than a Keep Busy fight as he awaits any big money match up which may arise.
The popular Darren Barker deserves respect making no attempt to test the waters of world level. Instead he has answered the challenge of a fight against the cream of the pound for pound crop. One must also commend his new promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom promotions for delivering his newly signed attraction a career defining opportunity so soon. With Carl Froch, Kel Brook also boxing under the Essex born promotional banner, it looks an intimidating force in both British and World boxing.