Commonwealth Boxing Champ Darren Barker Gets The Blues

“Dazzling” Darren Barker’s preparations are well underway for his British title showdown with Wayne “Mad Dog” Elcock at the Brentwood Centre in Essex on Saturday, November 28th.

However the reigning Commonwealth Champion admits he’ll be taking time out on Sunday to watch his beloved Chelsea maintain their position on top of the Premier league in a huge top of the table clash with title rivals Manchester United.

The unbeaten Barnet man is a massive Chelsea fan and admits he’s more nervous about Sunday’s encounter than his title showdown with Elcock. Barker said, “I don’t really get nervous before my fights, obviously the adrenalin is flowing but you’re switched on and focused and it’s a situation you’re in control of where as when you’re just looking on it’s a lot more nerve wracking.”

Barker however is confident that Chelsea can maintain their position at the top of the Premiership table on Sunday. “I’ve been to nearly all the home games this season and there’s no way I‘d miss this one. It’s a massive game with first playing second and I think if the Blues can win it then it will be a big step towards the Premiership title.”

Having been ringside for his impressive KO of Darren McDermott in May Chelsea star Joe Cole invited Barker to visit the Chelsea training ground where he gave the squad an insight in to his own training regime.

“It was a good day out and it was nice to meet up with all the players,” revealed Barker. “It was good to look at their setup from another professional athlete’s perspective.”

Barker is confident of adding the British title to his Commonwealth title belt at the end of the month and he also believes that November will prove a key month for Chelsea .

“Obviously there are some big games coming over the next few weeks. In the Premiership we have Man Utd on Sunday and then they day after my fight with Elcock we play Arsenal.

“I know some of the players were keen to come to the Elcock fight but I don’t think Carlo Ancelotti would be too pleased at the thought of them sneaking out to my fight the night before such a big game!”

Barker’s clash with Elcock headlines a Hennessy Sports event which will be live on ITV4 on November 28th.

The undercard at the Brentwood Centre will feature Colchester ’s Lee Purdy defending his Southern Area Welterweight title against Wokingham’s Mark Douglas. Waltham Abbey middleweight Daniel “Mr. Slick” Cadman will also end a three year hiatus from the ring when he fights on the undercard alongside bouts featuring exciting light middleweight Yassine El Maachi and unbeaten prospects Bradley Evans, Bobby Ward, Phill Fury and Steve Barnes.

Tickets for the bout priced £30 and £80 are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk