British RBR - Barker v Bendall - Commonwealth Middleweight title

[superheavyrhun]

Round 4:

Barker opens up with three good jabs. Bendall throwing but not making any impact again, whilst Barker's shots seem to make Bendall hurt every time. They clinch, and trade uppercuts on the inside. Bendall takes a body shot, and returns one lacking in the Barker venom. Bendall with a couple of right hooks to the body. Bendall ships another left hook, then a fine right hook. Barker is getting in and out well, landing shots, then backing out before he gets caught. Left hook from BArker as BEndall comes in. Bendall's courage isn't in question. Good straight right from Barker, then a flurry of hooks to the body then an uppercut, then they clinch until the bell.

Barker. 40-35

[Saddo]

there goes my pick

[leftylee]

No way this goes 12 rounds, Bendall nearly got KNFO in that last round and it was only the ropes that saved him.

[The Rela]

No way this goes 12 rounds, Bendall nearly got KNFO in that last round and it was only the ropes that saved him.

Innit, I reckon this is over by the 9th round.

[superheavyrhun]

Round 5:

Bendall lands a straight left, then a jab. Bendall takes a right hook. Barker doubles the jab, then zips out of range. Barker with his own flurry, pushing out straight shots as he did going into the later rounds in his last fight. Hope he isnt tiring already. Big right hook rocks Bendall back, and he's trapped on the ropes. Five or six hooks land before Bendall can tie Barker up. He clinches again, does well to survive there. Bendall comes out with a jab then a left to the body, but nothing behind them. Barker goes back to basics with some jabs.

Barker's again - 50-44

[superheavyrhun]

Round 6:

Great straight right from Barker, but Bendall fires back ith his back on the ropes. Barker is good, but seems to be landing single shots until he hurts Bendall, then pouncing. Bendall jabs, then ducks a jab from Barker to clinch. Bendall with two hooks to the body. Good straight left from Bendall catches Barker moving into it, but Barker still unfazed. Bendall's best round so far, but Barker coming forward with a jab, then some good right hands before Bendall clinches. Bendall missing a fair bit, then Barker comes forward with a right then a jab. Bendall with a brief flurry on the bell.

Bendall's best round, maybe tied on this one.
60-54

[superheavyrhun]

Round 7:

Barker comes out with a little more intention, popping out the jab, but Bendall does land a jab as Barker comes in. Bendall working again , but Barker with a jab and a right. Bendall with a nice left, then a jab. Barker missing a little more in this round, and Bendall seems to be warming to this after a catatonic start. Bendall seems cut on the right eye, and the ref wants a look. Bendall with the jab, but takes two from Barker. Bendall's cut is bleeding a lot, but after a brief chance, the ref thinks its too bad and waves it off.

Unlucky that it came from a clash of heads, but Barker was dominating.

[Saddo]

Great rd by rd mate... give the guy some rep folks

Good call from the ref

to be honest if Bendall's corner had have pulled him out after the 5th round i wouldn't have complained... he showed alot of heart though IMO

[superheavyrhun]

Darren Barker says: "I never overlooked Bendall, he's a quality opponent and was a stiff test. I'm learning all the time and getting better. Steve was coming back at me and was stopped on a cut, that's boxing. Everything in life is about learning all the time."

Barker seems to have done what was expected of him, but didn't risk too much in chasing Bendall after the knockdown. Not sure if it's tiredness or tactic, but Barker's work seems to become straighter as the rounds continue, it also did against Crompton. However, early in the fight Barker looked superb, though might need a few more fights before he starts looking at tougher challenges, such as British champ Elcock, or even one of the Irish boys like Lee and Duddy. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see him thrown in with someone like Howard Eastman or maybe even Jim Rock might fancy testing his skills against the youngster. However, an unlikely but mouthwatering fight would be to see him in against Paul Smith, in one of the best British divisions around at the moment.

[leftylee]

I win my preiction, VD loses his JOKER pick so everyone's happy