Barker Hopes Second Time in AC Will Mean World Championship

0
975

Darren Barker flies to America today to finish preparations for his IBF World middleweight title clash with Daniel Geale on August 17 at the Revel Hotel-Casino in Atlantic City, live on Sky Sports.

The Londoner fights for a World crown for the second time in Atlantic City after taking on Sergio Martinez in October 2011. Since his brave 11th round defeat to the pound-for-pound star, the 31 year old has seen off his injury woes and recorded impressive back-to-back fourth round stoppage wins over Kerry Hope and Simone Rotolo.

Barker sets up camp in New Jersey this week to add the finishing touches to his plans, and he is confident he’ll return home with the belt.

“I truly believe I’m better than him,” said Barker. “Whilst I would never underestimate him, I truly believe it’s my time and my destiny.

 

“Our paths have mirrored the other; we both boxed in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, he won gold at welterweight, I won at light welterweight, and we boxed in the World Championships in 2003 in the same weight but on opposite sides of the draw.

“I’ve kept an eye on his pro career and I’m very confident. I know what he’s all about, I know what I’m all about and I know how to beat him so I can’t wait for August 17. This is what it’s all about – reaching the pinnacle of your sport should be everyone’s goal and I’m close to it now.”

It’s Barker’s second World title fight in Atlantic City, but a third World title experience after he was in the corner when gym mate Lee Purdy lost to Devon Alexander for the IBF World welterweight crown in May. For Geale, it’s the first time he’s boxed outside his Australian homeland and Baker believes that could be a crucial factor in the clash.

“I’ve had two failed attempts in Atlantic City really, so it feels like third time lucky,” said Barker. “He’s an Aussie, I’m a Brit, so it’s neutral ground but territory that I’m familiar with having boxed there and been in Lee’s corner so I feel I have a slight advantage in that respect.

“I’ve heard people say in the past that you can learn from defeat, but I always thought that was mad – how can anything good come from losing? It’s not until you experience something invaluable like a defeat in a World title fight to a World class pound-for-pound star like Sergio Martinez that you appreciate the sentiment and I really have taken that negative – losing in a World title fight – and built on it to go one better. I feel I’ve matured from it and I’m in my prime now.”

SHARE
Previous articleTeam Fury Adds Manager Asif Vali
Next articleRustum Nugaev Looks To Continue His Winning Streak Against Jose Hernandez
The team at Thaboxingvoice.com set out with a mission to create an online environment focused on boxing that voiced the opinions, concerns, and attitudes of you, the people. Doing our best to bring you the answers you want to know, and getting the exclusives that those other guys cant. We are always working hard to get the inside scoop inside and outside of the ring. If it’s happening in Boxing, we will tell you about it! You can find us at the fights all over the place with our nationwide team of correspondents, and wide reach around the globe we have the tools and the team to bring you coverage from all the fights. Whether it is in a gym in Jersey or on the floor at MGM Grand. No fight to big or small for Tha Boxing Voice. Our experienced team combined has over 50+ years of boxing experience to bring to the table. Some of us growing up ringside, some of us growing up in the ring, no matter the situation we are all true boxing fans first and reporters second. This can be found evident on our twice-weekly podcast. We work hard to bring you interviews that answer your questions and guest who will spark your interest from all areas of the boxing world. Writers, Trainers, Promoters and the most relevant fighters before and after some of their biggest fights. We are working 24/7 to get the information to you, the listeners. We work to form a personal relationship with our listeners and our guests making our show more intimate and giving a raw, uncut and real aspect that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. We are Tha Boxing Voice, The Voice of you, The People. Follow @boxingvoiceshow