Darren Barker retires!

[Tam Seddon]

Such a shame after he won the title in such a good performance for it to be taken away from him by a career ending injury. Strum did well but if Barker hadn't got that injury the fight would have been different. No doubt we will be seeing him in the sky sports team though and I hope he has a speedy recovery even out of the ring.

[bzkfn]

No surprise here really, Barker has to think of his health and after having so many injuries it is impossible to see why he would continue considering he had achieved what he had set out to do. Decent fighter and a genuinely top bloke, I'm glad he got that payday in Germany before retiring. Hopefully we'll see him on sky as a pundit.

[Beanz]

Always liked him, very tidy boxer but his body gave up in the end. Very happy for him that he won that world title eventually.

[Beanflicker]

Shame, he was a solid fighter.

But in the end, what's more important: squeezing a few more years/fights in, or having a good quality of life after boxing.

Sometimes you have to just listen to your body. Good for him and best wishes in retirement.

[Fenster]

The Sturm fight was always his retirement fund regardless. Good fighter.

Best moment - getting off the floor against Paul Samuels, ref shouts stop boxing, Samuels drops his arms, Barker knocks him unconcious with a left hook.

[Master]

He should have waited a year got his injury sorted and demanded the rematch.

[smashup]

That's what I was thinking?

One last guaranteed BIG payday.

Fuck id have took that rematch with one arm if I was in his position.

[Fenster]

If they couldn't afford to get Sturm to the UK as challenger they were never getting him here as champion. That rematch shit was just to cover up the fact that Barker was taking the belt to Germany instead of having a homecoming fight. It was never gonna happen.

[Primo Carnera]

That's what I was thinking?

One last guaranteed BIG payday.

Fuck id have took that rematch with one arm if I was in his position.

tbh I don't think he had much choice. He's already had ops on both hips shaving bone away etc. and his trainer said he may not even be able to Train properly again , let alone fight. As far as the BIG payday, don't forget the roles are now reversed . He would have to pay Sturm big money to defend out of his Country and he would get the small end of the wedge, so he would only get a fraction of what he did to go to Germany.
He is without doubt the most genuine and nicest guy in Boxing and I just hope he has enough money to see him through his life and to take care of future medical bills and that he doesn't end up in a wheelchair or permanent agony, that's the harsh reality of it.
By the way, I don't think you would've stood much chance with one arm!!!

[superheavyrhun]

He managed to go beyond being a good British fighter and managed to win a world title. He overcame some tough times, especially with his brother, and it looked like he wasn't going to come back after the Martinez fight. But come back he did, won the world strap, and hopefully made enough money to keep him and his family comfortable for a long time to come. Always came across as a nice guy, despite being a Chelsea fan, and I hope he continues to enjoy a pleasant and prosperous retirement.

[Silkeyjoe]

Never liked him, dont see how his fans can like him after his last performance and his recent comments saying he probably should have pulled out of the fight, getting fans to pay big bucks for flights etc. Will never understand why he never made a big domestic fight

[Master]

He achieved more than I thought he would by winning a version of a world title. I hear the point about taking a smaller share in the rematch but a year from now that may mean a lot to him. I am sure Bute still has his rematch values with Froch.