Barker: I’ve got the advantage over Geale in every department

By Boxing News - 07/25/2013 - Comments

barker5444By Scott Gilfoid: #6 IBF, Darren Barker (25-1, 16 KO’s) feels he’s got too many skills for IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale (29-1, 15 KO’s) to beat him in their fight next month on August 17th at the Revel Resort, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Barker, 31, wants to snatch Geale’s IBF strap and then take it back to the UK with him.

Barker said to Sky’s Toe-2-toe podcast “I’ve worked too hard not to beat him, and I feel like I’ve got the advantage in every department. It’s about getting it right on the night and bringing that belt home with me.”

I honestly can’t see Barker winning this fight, although I do think he’s got skills. Unfortunately, Barker has only faced one good fighter during his 9 year pro career in losing to Sergio Martinez by an 11th round TKO defeat in October 2011.

Barker fought like he was afraid to let his hands go. I mean, he seriously had a failure to launch in that fight, and whatever chance he may have had to win it went down the drain with him playing it safe.

Martinez seemed to get tired of Barker safety first fighting style in the 11th round, and he clubbed him to the canvas. Barker grabbed his ear and the fight was halted. Talk about your disappointing performances. Since that was easily the best opponent that Barker has ever faced, I can’t see him doing any better against Geale.

I see the same safety first fighting style by Barker, with him just content to go the distance and hoping to get a decision. Geale is going to out-box Barker and win virtually all the exchanges.

I’d like to see Barker take the stops out and fight with a purpose, but I can’t see it. He looks so mechanical when he fights. He seems to lack flexibility and that obviously is going to hurt him big time against Geale.

Barker needs to go all out in this fight because he’s going to lose every round if he fights like he normally does by playing it safe and looking stiff.



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