Thread: Barker's first defense is vs Sturm, 7th Dec, Germany

BBC Sport - Darren Barker to defend middleweight title against Felix Sturm

Eddie Hearn has said that there is a clause for an immediate rematch in London should he lose. He sounds keen to stress that! Not that he's not confident that Barker won't get the decision .

Lose it in Germany, win it back in England, bish bash bosh, 2 time world champion!

And you never know GGG might lose a limb in that time saving either of them from being eaten alive.

He must be getting top money to bring the title over there, which shows why those German based guys like Sturm get home advantage so much.

Barker should enjoy being champion as much as he can. Cuz it looks like it's ending before the year is over

Yeah If the rematch clause is kosher (they can't get Sturm to London as the challenger but can as champion? Hmmm) best thing for Barker is to lose.

He shouldn't need to travel in a first defence. He should be enjoying a fight at home for the homecrowd.

Originally Posted by Gandalf

He shouldn't need to travel in a first defence. He should be enjoying a fight at home for the homecrowd.

Never forget, he's in boxing for the money, that means boxing fans are a secondary consideration, usually. German promoters understand the concept better than most.

Originally Posted by beenKOed

Originally Posted by Gandalf

He shouldn't need to travel in a first defence. He should be enjoying a fight at home for the homecrowd.

Never forget, he's in boxing for the money, that means boxing fans are a secondary consideration, usually. German promoters understand the concept better than most.

This will be a life changing pay day for Barker, if he can keep the gas on Sturm for twelve rounds he should be able to get a points decision over there.

Originally Posted by beenKOed

Originally Posted by Gandalf

He shouldn't need to travel in a first defence. He should be enjoying a fight at home for the homecrowd.

Never forget, he's in boxing for the money, that means boxing fans are a secondary consideration, usually. German promoters understand the concept better than most.

True, but the Brits seem just as strong supporters of their fighters as any. It's not as if he would be fighting in a half full venue of 2,000 which you see on some US televised cards. He's a world champion against a decent opponent. Surely it would do well with only a small time difference between the two countries for TV audiences.

It just seems a shame to win a belt overseas and then have to go to Germany.

There's a difference between how vocal and passionate supporters are compared with actual numbers. Sturm is much bigger in Germany than Barker is in England. Barker wouldn't do half the tickets or half the TV interest they'll get out there.

Barker said this payday is huge compared with what he got against Martinez on HBO.

my money will be on sturm by KO

@erics44 - Sturm by KO after Barker beat Geale who beat Sturm? I like Barker by UD. Sturm has lost a step. Remember his performance against Soliman. Even if Soliman was not PEDs, it wasn't vintage Sturm.

Originally Posted by Rantcatrat

@erics44 - Sturm by KO after Barker beat Geale who beat Sturm? I like Barker by UD. Sturm has lost a step. Remember his performance against Soliman. Even if Soliman was not PEDs, it wasn't vintage Sturm.

yep I realise the history

Geale is a tough man and did pip sturm to a UD

I'm just not sure barker is quite as tough and I think strurms punches might tell

Originally Posted by Fenster

There's a difference between how vocal and passionate supporters are compared with actual numbers. Sturm is much bigger in Germany than Barker is in England. Barker wouldn't do half the tickets or half the TV interest they'll get out there.

Barker said this payday is huge compared with what he got against Martinez on HBO.

That's a shame then. Someone like Hatton would never have needed to go to Germany. Britain should support its champions.

If Barker had that kind of home support he wouldn't have won his world title fighting an Aussie in Atlantic city. I'm sure this is a massive payday for him and if the rematch is really in place it's safer than any other means to get the same coin.