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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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gandalf
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by beenKOedNever 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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gandalf
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by beenKOedNever 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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gandalf
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.
yep I realise the historyQuote:
Originally Posted by Rantcatrat
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
That's a shame then. Someone like Hatton would never have needed to go to Germany. Britain should support its champions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenster
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.
It'll be interesting to see if a rematch does happen if Sturm wins.
Money talks and in an ideal world this fight would be in the UK but if barker is being fully compensated to fight in Germany with neutral judges and an immediate rematch in the UK then so be it.
Hope Barker beats Sturm who has been a homer for far too long. Also do not bring the ODH fight as a reason that was years ago and he has had opportunities to fight abroad and not taken the chance.
You can say what you want about boxing in germany but if you look at ticket sales you can see why they stay in Germany. Sturm sells out decent sized stadiums in most of his fights. It would over shadow what Barker would sell in England.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenster
Bit gutted really because I think Barker will outbox Sturm to a clear points win and then Sturm will be given the decision. Do not think the Geale fight is any indication of how Darren will approach Sturm.
Barker gets beat up and stopped by 11.
Barker must be getting a good pay day, in Germany it's a risk but it's one he seems willing
to take good luck to him, he may get shafted but he must fancy his chances.