Hennessy Sports Boxing: Barker Set To Defend Commonwealth against Sharpe In Cananda

On August 15, The Venue at The River Cree Resort and Casino, in Enoch, Alberta, just outside Edmonton, plays host to one of the most intriguing match-ups of the year, as undefeated British middleweight sensation “Dazzling” Darren Barker, 17-0 (11), makes his North American debut against upset-minded veteran Larry Sharpe, 22-4 (10), of Pine Falls, Alberta.

Barker, the reigning Commonwealth Middleweight Champion, has wowed UK fans with his blazing hand speed and fighting acumen, making a seamless leap from prospect to contender with eye-popping performances in the toughest tests of his career, and is eager to make new fans on this side of the Atlantic.

“I’m so excited to be fighting in Canada,” an enthused Barker said before dismissing any notion that he might be fighting Sharpe, a Western Canadian, at a disadvantage.

“I had an extensive amateur career, and was constantly abroad. I’m quite comfortable fighting overseas. It’s really nothing new for me. This is why I box and test myself, so I can travel the world and show people everywhere what I’m capable of.”

Boxing fans in the UK already know, and love, what the Barnet born Londoner can do in a boxing ring.

In November of 2007, Barker dominated the previously undefeated Ben Crampton, 20-0-1 (10), to secure the vacant Commonwealth Middleweight crown via lopsided twelve round unanimous decision, and defended the title with a flawless TKO over Steven Bendall, 28-3 (13), battering the game Coventry southpaw before stopping him on cuts in the seventh round.

In Sharpe, Barker faces a ring-wise southpaw who, while lacking flash, carries more than his share of substance into the ring and is riding a six fight win streak in the wake of a controversial ten round split decision setback to Bryon Mackie, 27-13 (10), in November of 2006.

Sharpe’s current run of success includes five wins inside the distance against increasingly difficult competition, culminating with a fourth round TKO over former WBC Lightweight title challenger Mauro Lucero, 43-12-1 (29), this past May.

Sharpe is perhaps best known in the UK for a brave performance against Plymouth middleweight, Scott Dann, in February of 2006, in which Sharpe held firm until being stopped by a crunching uppercut in the ninth round.

“I’ve only ever seen Sharpe in his fight with Scott Dann, and he was holding his own for a while there until he got caught,” Barker said of his foe on August 15.

“Clearly, he’s a guy who’s very experienced, and knows what he’s doing in the ring. It should be an excellent fight.”