By Sean McDaniel European Boxing Union (EBU) middleweight champion Matthew Macklin (28-2, 19 KO’s) is looking to accomplish big things in 2011 starting with a fight against Darren Barker. Macklin also is hoping to get a title shot against IBF middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester in 2011.

Macklin is currently ranked #3 WBA, #4 WBC, #6 WBO and #7 IBF in the middleweight rankings. However, Macklin needs to start stepping it up against better opposition because he didn’t accomplish much in 2010 in terms of taking on and beating well known opponents.

In 2009, Macklin blew out Amin Asikainen in one round. But in 2010, the only names on Macklin’s resume for the year were the little known Shalva Jomardashvili and Ruben Varon. Although Macklin won fights, he failed to impress in the Varon fight and really struggled against him.

Against Barker, hopefully we’ll see the old Macklin because this is a fight that he really needs to win and look good against before he gets to the Sylvester fight next year.

In an article at birminghammailnet, Macklin said “Sebastian Sylvester is the IBF champion and he is very much on my radar. He defends his title in Germany on January 22 against Frenchman Mehdi Bouadla and I would be delighted to take on the winner.”

Mackllin is open to facing the other middleweight champion as well, and would welcome the opportunity to fight WBC champion Sergio Martinez, WBA title holder Felix Sturm and WBO champion Dmitry Pirog. One would hope that Macklin’s fight with Barker, if it happens, will prepare Macklin for a title fight against one of these champions.

It would be a big shock for Macklin to go from facing guys like Varon to fighting one of the above mentioned champions. Macklin might not be ready for that big a jump if he doesn’t face a transition opponent like Barker to get him ready for the better fighters that he’s hoping to fight next year.