Ringside Boxing Report: Darren Barker vs. Danny Butler

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Last night at the Brentwood Leisure Centre in Essex, England, Hennessy Sports hosted a fightnight billed as 'Winner Takes It All'.

Headlining was to have been the vacant British Middleweight title clash between Darren Barker and 'Mad Dog' Wayne Elcock - but a late change of opponent saw Elcock replaced by Danny Butler of Bristol just a couple of days earlier.

Commonwealth Champion Barker kept a cool head against 'up for it' Butler, finally forcing the stoppage in round seven.

The undefeated 'Dazzler' now holds the British and Commonwealth Middleweight belts.

Barker improves to 21-0 (14) while Butler drops to 18-2 (3), just two weeks after losing a hard fought one point decision to English titlist Darren McDermott.

The undercard saw good action with Lee Purdy, 13-1-1 (7), stopping Mark Douglas, 4-3 (2), for the British southern are welterweight crown.

Underrated light middleweight Yassine El Maachi, 11-4 (4), stopped tough veteran Alex Spitko, 6-19 (4), in the third while lightweight Bradley Evans, 3-0-1 (0), outpointed durable Jon Baguley, 8-17-1 (4), over four rounds.

There was an upset on the card as super feather prospect Steve "Superbad" Barnes, 3-1 (1), had the first defeat on his record courtesy of Slough's Ian Bailey, 5-3 (0), via a 39-38 points decision after four rounds.

In another unexpected verdict, light middle hopeful Phill Fury, 3-1 (1), was held to a draw by unheralded Norwich man Louis Byrne, 1-10-1 (1), during a four rounder.