Darren Barker

[Fenster]

I actually forgot to finish that sentence lol. Basically I think Small fought a better fight against Webb than against McDonagh. The reason I feel he didn't get the decision was because Webb is deemed a more 'sellable' fighter. He was never getting the decision in the same way McDonagh wasn't in the previous fight, even if I think Small just edged that one.

I think the officiating has got worse over the last few years. Since about 2006, there's been steadily more dodgy decisions in fights in the UK. We're like the new Italy.

It was a Hatton Promotions gig. Small is with Hatton. Webb with Maloney. That makes Small the house fighter, right?

So who exactly fixed it?

Small's own team wanted him to lose? Maloney influenced someone elses show?

Don't come on here and ruin a good point with facts Fenster. Its bloody not on.
Jaz's overall point remains valid though.

About the decline of officiating since 2006? Not sure about that, it really does require facts and evidence.

House fighters have always been favoured all over the world. I doubt one country is any worse than another.

In the UK you can't get a fair fight in Germany/Italy.. In America you can't get a fair fight outside America. I reckon most of it is just a silly prejudice passed down over the years, with the exception of isolated instances.

Anyone that loses a fight that others wont see can claim to be robbed/treated unfairly. These days we see EVERY fight. And just about every fight people are complaining about refs/judges wherever it takes place

[FTMatty]

I like the way Barker fights, but I get the feeling that a more classy fighter would have him tied in knots.
There were flourishes of real class in the first 4 rounds, but it tailed off drematically after that.

[Fenster]

I like the way Barker fights, but I get the feeling that a more classy fighter would have him tied in knots.
There were flourishes of real class in the first 4 rounds, but it tailed off drematically after that.

Yeah, it's safe to bet Barker is no world beater.

[HattonTheHammer]

I like the way Barker fights, but I get the feeling that a more classy fighter would have him tied in knots.
There were flourishes of real class in the first 4 rounds, but it tailed off drematically after that.

Yeah, it's safe to bet Barker is no world beater.

why exactly??

He was in with a very classy opponent who came to trade for 12 rounds. Completely ignore the crap jim watt was feeding, barker was comfortable throughout the fight the moment he realised he wasnt gonna be able to blow this guy out of there and actually had to fight on his feet.

Theres a hell of a lot of decent middleweights that french fella will beat before he retires

[Fenster]

I like the way Barker fights, but I get the feeling that a more classy fighter would have him tied in knots.
There were flourishes of real class in the first 4 rounds, but it tailed off drematically after that.

Yeah, it's safe to bet Barker is no world beater.

why exactly??

He was in with a very classy opponent who came to trade for 12 rounds. Completely ignore the crap jim watt was feeding, barker was comfortable throughout the fight the moment he realised he wasnt gonna be able to blow this guy out of there and actually had to fight on his feet.

Theres a hell of a lot of decent middleweights that french fella will beat before he retires

Classy? That's how you describe a crude limited tough guy is it? Nobody is comfortable constantly moving backwards getting lamped in the boat.

I like Barker, think he's a good fighter, but he looks to fraglie for the elite guys - Pavlik, Martinez, Williams...that's all i'm saying.