Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez vs. Darren Barker Saturday October 1st

[J_C]

I think Bilbo is slightly higher on Barkers chances than is merited but a lot of what he said is fair enough. Barkers 2 European fights were stern tests for him and he got on his bike quite a lot in both also, wasnt very impressive.

I think Martinez's power is being a little over rated on the back of his last 2 performances but I would still favour the stoppage for this one rather than the distance. However a 12 round show wouldnt surprise me from Barker but I would be surprised if he won any more than a couple of rounds in doing so.

Barker can go the distance if he looks more towards survival in the second half of the fight. If he gives it a real go ala Macklin against Sturm, I see him getting stopped.

Bookies best odds for the method of victory for Martinez are

8/13 Stoppage
9/4 Points

Presumably Bilbo will be all over that 9/4. My own odds would be more like 5/6 stoppage, 7/4 pts fwiw.

Btw I hope Martinez's next fight is against Macklin, that would be a fantastic fight while it lasted (Macklin would get KO'd at some point)

[Kev]

I think Bilbo is slightly higher on Barkers chances than is merited but a lot of what he said is fair enough. Barkers 2 European fights were stern tests for him and he got on his bike quite a lot in both also, wasnt very impressive.

I think Martinez's power is being a little over rated on the back of his last 2 performances but I would still favour the stoppage for this one rather than the distance. However a 12 round show wouldnt surprise me from Barker but I would be surprised if he won any more than a couple of rounds in doing so.

Barker can go the distance if he looks more towards survival in the second half of the fight. If he gives it a real go ala Macklin against Sturm, I see him getting stopped.

Bookies best odds for the method of victory for Martinez are

8/13 Stoppage
9/4 Points

Presumably Bilbo will be all over that 9/4. My own odds would be more like 5/6 stoppage, 7/4 pts fwiw.

Btw I hope Martinez's next fight is against Macklin, that would be a fantastic fight while it lasted (Macklin would get KO'd at some point)

I'm not saying that is unlikely, but I think if it comes it will be a soft referee stoppage, a cut that isn't that bad, Barker getting staggered etc.

I'm not expecting Martinez to KO him at all.

[Rantcatrat]

Andy Lee v. Brian Vera to open up isn't a bad undercard either.

[skel1983]

Martinez stops him in 9.

[Galaxy]

Martinez stops him in 9.

Agreed! I don't think it'll last longer than that

[Mars_ax]

Bumping this thread up..

This might be a decent fight Saturday evening on HBO.



Thoughts?

[FinitoElDinamita]

People tend to overlook certain fighters based on resume but there's alot more to it than just level of competition. I judge fighters based on their overall ability/potential more than the resume itself and from what ive seen, Barker is very underrated.. I dont know why people think that he's no match for martinez but i dont agree with that at all...

He's a natural middleweight for one thing.. He has decent skills and good punching power..

IT's not going to be an easy fight for martinez that's for sure.. Id be hella impressed if he scores a KO but im leaning towards a decision...