The game has changed, thanks to DAZN and Matchroom Boxing's huge UK deal that begins with Matchroom Fight Camp on July 31, August 7 and August 14.
Here is the lowdown on one of the faces of the new era, Darren Barker.
Darren Barker
- DOB : May 19, 1982
- Nationality : British
- Pro Career : 2004-2013
- Height : 6ft
- Titles won: British, Commonwealth and European middleweight champion, IBF middleweight champion.
- Career Highlight: World title win against Daniel Geale in summer of 2013.
Bio
An outstanding amateur who peaked at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester where he won a gold medal. Qualification for the Olympics two years later didn’t occur so Barker embarked on his professional journey in 2004.
Reached European level with relative ease as his stylish textbook boxing navigated him to continental honours with a win over Affif Belghecham in 2010.
In October 2011, Barker made the trip to Atlantic City to tackle the world’s best middleweight Sergio Martinez, but he was worn down by the brilliant Argentine and stopped in the penultimate round. The experience would serve him well two years later.
Taking on Daniel Geale for the Australian’s IBF crown, Barker was much better prepared than what he was for Martinez as he matched Geale all the way. After being dropped with a heavy body shot, it appeared Barker’s dream was over, but he had done enough in the eyes of two ringside judges to take victory and become world champion.
In his first defence in December 2013, Barker was stopped in two rounds after suffering a hip injury against Felix Sturm. It had been a recurring problem for the London fighter and he walked away from boxing shortly after.
Since then Barker has maintained an excellent relationship with Matchroom and can often be seen providing his opinion on fights on their various build-up shows. In partnership with Chris Lloyd, the pair are on hand at all Matchroom shows to give the audience a thorough take on happenings before and after the event.