If you listened to the UK commentary you would probably have had it level after 10, I only gave Barker rounds 3 an 4 :-\
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If you listened to the UK commentary you would probably have had it level after 10, I only gave Barker rounds 3 an 4 :-\
I only gave Barker 1 round. There were a couple rounds that were a little close, but he just didn't let his hands go enough. Seemed like he was content with just trying to go the distance with Martinez, but that didn't quite work out for him either.
They're just about to replay the fight on HBO right now, so I'll see if I see it differently this time.
That's about how I had it, Barker only winning 1 or 2 rounds, Martinez was simply outworking Barker and landing the most effective punches.
Even though Barker was clearly losing the fight, even before it was stopped in the 11th round, it wasn't a bad effort by him, he has nothing to be ashamed of, nothing ventured nothing gained.
He put forward a brave effort. He had much better defense than I had seen from him in the past and he laid the blue print on how it would be possible to beat Martinez. I gave Barker two rounds and thought another was close. I had it 8-2 at the time of the stoppage, but Barker made many of the rounds close and he bloodied Martinez's nose in the 4th. Nothing wrong with travelling abroad and losing to a great fighter and, if anything, I hold him in higher esteem than I did prior to the fight.
I gave him 2 rounds.
His problem was his activity level. He did great when he committed to punching but he was over cautious hiding behind his guard and only punched in spurts.
I'm sure Martinez's punching power had alot to do with his activity level though.
Overall though i think he proved himself to be alot better than fans expected and should be somewhat proud of his performance.
Rounds 4,5 to Barker but can see how it 'looked' closer first half. I think alot of it was pure body language of the two. Martinez backing, bloody and hands completely down while Barker steady tight pressure but Martinez was steady tapping the nail until he dropped the hammer.
1 or 2 rounds really guys ? Barker was blocking most of Martinez's punches. And was landing accurate jabs and right hands, Martinez looked puzzled and didn't really do much except drop his hands and allow Barker to come forward and hit him.
Barker easily won 4 rounds i don't understand all this talk of 1 or 2 rounds, Martinez done nothing in the 1st half of the fight really. And its only because Barker has suspect stamina that Martinez was able to comeback in the fight, because Barker's guard loosened and stopped throwing punches.
I know punchstats don't tell the whole story, but i just went a checked the stats and according to the stats Barker was only dominated in the last 2 rounds. All the other rounds regarding punches landed were all competitive, and i think Martinez probably got more credit for glancing punches aswell. Because not that much was landing clean in the the 1st half of the fight.
yeah he won more than 2 rounds and who ever said he didnt come to win thats not very fair
he had no experience at that level and away from home
An Martinez has all of the experience
If barker has a couple more fights at that type of level and in that type of atmosphere and they did it again, i would expect the fight to be a lot closer
Martinez was just fighting down to the level of his opposition. He took some shots and got bloodly nose but was never really in any trouble. He was pretty much toying with Barker. It looked like he could of ended it when ever he really felt like it. And did.
I think Barker can be given between 2 and 4 rounds. To give him only one round is very harsh. Martinez was hitting a lot of gloves whilst Barker was walking him down with the jab.