Darren Barker: A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t

By Boxing News - 08/20/2013 - Comments

barker333By @BoxingMuse: There was no better phrase to epitomize Darren Barker’s awe-inspiring performance than the quote by former heavyweight champion of the world Jack Dempsey who stated; “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t”.

This was exactly the case when middleweight Darren Barker’s rose from the canvas in the 6th round after being dropped by a tremendous body shot from the underrated Australian. The bout was close and entertaining in the early rounds both boxers throwing hurtful calculated shots but this match-up soon turned into a Gatti v Ward style thriller after the well placed shot to Barker’s liver caused the knockdown. The Londoner beats the count by a second, bites down on his gum shield tucks his elbows to his sides as Geale hammers away. Barker ties his opponent up for several seconds and then continues to take unanswered punishment for around 25 seconds before reigniting the fire within him and hurting the Australian with a combination of hooks. Geale looks fatigued as Barker closes out the remaining time as the aggressor, the bell sounding to mark the end of a potential ‘round of the year’ nominee.

The fight follows the same pattern as earlier, both boxers throwing and landing some telling blows but everything they do is meaningful and at times grueling. They both maintain an impressive pace, Geale seems to come out on top when they brawl and Barker takes control when they box. Both men show glimpses of brilliance in the heat of battle even though fatigue is gradually setting in.

Geale who had a reputation as a strong finisher in previous championship rounds is being outworked by the Brit late in the fight. Geale shows why he was a champion the first place displaying pure grit and the fight is still ‘Ebb and flow’ in some moments. Keeping us fight fans on the edge of our seats with our hearts in our mouths, both men now purely fighting on determination and will still throwing damaging punches, Geale even seeming to hurt Barker late in the last round. Suspense is in the air until the final bell sounds.

Michael Buffer reads out the scorecards; 114-113 Geale, 116-111 Barker and 114-113 for the winner and NEW…

‘Dazzling’ Darren Barker’s name is announced and a feeling of sheer ecstasy combined with hysterical and emotional pleasure hits Barker, his team and British fight fans. It means so much more knowing what one man has had to go through up until his moment; Barker honorably dedicates the win to his late brother Gary.

In the last article on I wrote on ‘Dazzling’ Darren Barker named ‘Darren Barker: Been Through The Storm’, I explained his real life rocky story, describing the trials and tribulations he had to overcome inside and outside of the ropes. The story at this point missed the climatic Hollywood closure.

Darren’s empathic comeback from the brink of defeat to claim a world title against Daniel Geale provides us with the storybook ending. A heroic performance by the Barnet born 31 year old who is now not only the IBF middleweight champion but is also a true sporting hero. Darren’s spirit personifies the essence of two of Sir Winston Churchill’s most memorable quotes ‘Never, never, never give up’ and ‘If you’re going through hell, keep going’.

As I previously stated in the last article there is no more deserving fighter than Darren Barker to make a dream come true by winning a world title. So congratulations to him, the new IBF middleweight champion a title formerly held by such greats as Marvin Hagler, James Toney, Roy Jones Jr. (who commentated on HBO’s coverage of the fight) and Bernard Hopkins.

Darren Barker has made it through the storm, got up from the canvas when it seemed like he couldn’t and has fulfilled a lifelong achievement by becoming a boxing world champion.

Read my last article on Darren Barker at http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/07/darren-barker-been-through-the-storm/

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