Ringside Boxing Report: Darren Barker vs. Jason McKay
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Last night at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, England, “Dazzling” Darren Barker of Barnet, London, defended his Commonwealth Middleweight title against Jason McKay of Northern Ireland. In a Hennessy Sports promotion, Barker makes his second defence of the title he won by defeating Steve Bendall in February of this year.
Taller ʽCool Handʼ McKay – with a 20 win and 2 loss fight record – entered the arena with trainer John Breen and chief second Eamonn McGee. Unbeaten Barker had huge support from the crowd as he made his way to the ring alongside trainer Robert McKracken.
This was also to be referee Mickey Vannʼs final title fight, having worked 157 such contests. Now aged 65, the popular referee is set to retire at the end of this year.
As the bell signals the opening round – both men get off to a good start with Barker slipping between McKay’s guard with the left jab then landing a big right to the head in the last half minute of the first round. McKay’s legs dip, and he almost lands on the canvas, but seconds later Barker lands another big straight right and again McKay is ʽwobbledʼ by the shot.
Round two sees McKay start to settle in and focus on throwing combinations – heʼs much busier this round but his punches arenʼt very accurate. Barker – on the other hand – is very accurate, sneaking shots through the middle of McKay’s defence.
A great right hand from Barker lands on target and again McKay’s legs buckle slightly, but he manages to stay upright midway through round three. In the closing seconds, Barker lands another notable right punch and McKay’s right eye looks very swollen as they finish the frame.
Barker starts round four with a short left hook to the face of McKay. A body shot midway through the round lands flush on the front of McKay’s torso and you can see in his face that he ʽfeltʼ it. Heʼs clearly not enjoying the fight. Barker is relentless and McKay is looking tired.
After a ʽpep-talkʼ from his corner – McKay comes out for round five with a bit more determination and throws a big right which lands to the head of Barker but partly on his glove. Barker keeps up the jab and looks for a big punch.
Midway through the sixth, Barker lands a left followed by a big right hand and McKay looks battered and worn. Moments later, another left-right combination rocks back the head of the Irishman followed by another, which sends him stumbling back in to Barker’s corner.
As McKay sits in his corner at the end of round six, John Breen and Eamonn McGee gesture to referee Mickey Vann that they are pulling McKay out of the fight, partly because of an injured right hand.
Barker wins with a classy display of boxing, forcing the retirement of McKay. Afterward, promoter Mick Hennessy confirmed that they would be looking for a European title shot for Barker at the end of next year.
Barker dedicated the fight to his brother Gary, who sadly was killed in a car accident two years ago.