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

[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.