Darren to Dazzle HBO after Green Light

The news that Dazzling Darren Barker and Matchroom Sport have been waiting for as HBO give it the all clear. Barker WILL face Ring Magazine Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez October 1^st. No venue has been set as of yet but rumour has it Houston Texas may host Barker’s first world title fight against the tough 36 year old Argentinean.

This will surely be music to Eddie Hearn’s ears as the replacement fight of Darren’s European title defence which was due to see another European title on the line fell through. Gavin Rees suffered ligament damage to his left hand whilst training for his title defence against Derry Mathews.

Just as it seemed both Barker and Rees both fight less Eddie Hearn pushed for Dazzler’s world title shot and after a late night at HBO in talks with Lou DiBella both parties agreed terms and having been waiting for the go ahead from HBO themselves to broadcast the showcase.

This is the sort of fight that will bring that all too familiar feeling in the coming weeks for British Boxing fans that have endured three British boxer’s travelling abroad in anticipation of returning with world titles in their suitcase, yet returning home with little more than their pride and a novelty fridge magnet. Three British Boxers, three title fights, three defeats. Not good reading but I feel all is well on these shores and the show most certainly goes on.

We have Amir Khan looking to add Zab Judah’s IBF title, Nicky Cook trying to regain his former WBO title when he squares up against fellow Brit Ricky Burns and now we have Darren Barker putting it all on the line against veteran Sergio Martinez.

Many will doubt Barker’s chances and with good reason, Martinez is a dangerous opponent and once owned the world stage. This may just be a walk on part in the war for Darren but he has my full support and there is more than just a little bit of me that thinks he will return victorious.