Martinez vs Barker: Barker Has Perforated Eardrum After Loss
by Scott Christ on Oct 2, 2011 12:34 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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When Darren Barker was knocked out by Sergio Martinez in the 11th round of last night's fight, pretty much everyone noted what was plainly obvious, that Barker was not struck directly by the right hand that sent him to the canvas. The final shot actually hit Barker in the glove, which then went into the side of his head. Barker went down and just couldn't get up, and part of that may be explained by an injury he's dealing with today.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said earlier today on Twitter that Barker suffered a perforated eardrum. The fighter is OK otherwise, and has been pretty heavily praised for his solid effort in a fight where he was figured to get blown out by a superior fighter. Fellow UK fighters and British fight fans have sent a lot of messages of support out, and Barker himself said, "Just wanna say thanks for all the support I've had. I feel proud to be British! Gutted I couldn't pull it off but hats off to Martinez. Thank you."
While the focus today is on what's next for Sergio Martinez, it's also worth wondering what will be next for Darren Barker. Going into yesterday's fight I said I'd give Barker a good shot against anyone at 160 besides Martinez, and that holds true today. I think he's a good style matchup for a lot of guys, including some of the top fighters. I do still figure a top pressure fighter would be his undoing given his past stamina issues against Domenico Spada and Affif Belghecham, but I'd have him a fair bet against Felix Sturm, for instance. He's a talented fighter and now has experience against a world class opponent, which could make him better if he treats the loss right.
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I’ll certainly pay more attention the next time Barker’s name is mentioned.
I’m still a little amazed by last night. I didn’t see the fight, but the BLHers gave me a good idea of what happened. I honestly thought that Martinez would be all over Barker like a bad suit.
I’d give Barker a great chance against Sturm.
Those hurt...
I actually had to have surgery to repair my eardrum when I was younger… Regardless, Barker impressed me a little last night…
Sounds like Barker proved a few people wrong. Good for him!
by Phill on Oct 2, 2011 2:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If that was a Martinez "off night," I wonder how he looks on an "on night?"
He won just about every round, broke his man down, and then closed the show as predicted—ie, a late round stoppage. Poor guy has raised our expectation level too high. Maybe he is one of those who fights to his oppoenet’s level, but I thought he looked pretty damn solid in there despite what the senile Merchant and the shrill shill Lampley were saying. At least Steward was balanced and moderate.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
Manny was spot on throughout. Barker had the makings of a great gameplan, just not enough firepower to go to war.
by The Twillness on Oct 2, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s a good point.
I confess that I don’t, in general, pay attention to what active fighters say by way of analysis of fights that they aren’t immediately invested in. I’ll have to take a look at Pacquiao’s remarks.
I meant Manny Steward, not Pacman, my bad.
by The Twillness on Oct 2, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Lampley and Merchant are horrible just now. Half the time I think they just ignore what is going on in the ring altogether and just to push their own agenda on how they wish the fight would pan out.
I thought Barker did as well as could be expected. He was pretty cautious, which was smart as if he had tried to open up he would probably have been countered and knocked out in the first few rounds. Though I’m guessing that Merchant would have seen it as ‘he isn’t throwing loads of punches so he doesn’t want to win’. Also Barker’s smart movement and control of distance for the first 8 rounds would be ignored, instead the story would be that Martinez had a bad night.
I was watching the Sky coverage which was good apart from Johnny Nelson refusing to acknowledge that Martinez was any good, on the basis that he drew with Cintron and lost to Paul Williams. Maybe he should actually watch those fights rather than just read the results!
Nobody will read this and care and why should they?
I was watching the Sky coverage which was good apart from Johnny Nelson refusing to acknowledge that Martinez was any good, on the basis that he drew with Cintron and lost to Paul Williams. Maybe he should actually watch those fights rather than just read the results!
Good god… I just saw the Sky broadcast…. I wanted to punch Nelson to oblivion. He was mind numbingly obtuse.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Sometimes I wonder if I should give them a break as they are doing a tv broadcast at three in the morning. But I honestly wanted to scream at Nelson: ‘He (Martinez) knocked out and beat Cintron, but the knockout was missed and he was given a draw on the cards; he had a classic match with Willams (at short notice) and arguably should have had the decision; he clearly beat the lineal middleweight champion of the world (who had never lost at the weight); he knocked out Williams ( then considered top 5 P4P) with a KO that will stay on the HBO highlight reels for years; and he knocked down Dzinziruk 5 times (who had never been knocked down). This is why he is rated top 5 pound for pound by lots of people!’
Nobody will read this and care and why should they?
I dare say that KO will be the KO of the decade… the shot of Williams eyes open on the floor but completely knocked out was scary yet breathtaking.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
I wondered about that as well. I heard one or two remarks about Martinez having an “off” night, but I didn’t know how much stock to put in them, because I couldn’t see it for myself.
Do you think he really was off last night?
I think that Barker presented a style that he had not seen a while… a righty who covered up.
Martinez wasn’t off… Barker just didn’t roll over like many of us expected him to do due to the talent difference.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
He has good pop in both hands and more than anything else his speed is world class compared to all the fighters he has faced.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
I watched a couple of Barker fights yesterday, in preparation for the fight. He looked pretty quick, too. Not as quick as Martinez, but he looked a notch below Martinez in just about everything. I think this was a general consensus.
I certainly won’t argue about M’s speed and power.
Barker looked like he belonged in a title fight, which was more than some of the other fighters that have come over in like Lockett and Jennings
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
glass half full:
Not too bad a thing to be so good that a fight I had 97-92 when he stopped his man was a “letdown” performance.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
Martinez was at no point in danger in losing the fight… it was just that Martinez has exceeded expectations so often when someone came to fight and not roll over… we are in shock that Martinez didn’t blow him out. No other fighter could have blown Barker out in my opinion with how he fought last night.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
I agree that, after his last three especially, I was looking for something like an irresistible force.
But I wouldn’t say that Williams or Dzinziruk intended to roll over.
Martinez seems to do significantly better vs southpaws than righties in my opinion.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
And maybe against fighters who extend themselves. I spent some of this afternoon watching the two Williams fights, and the fight against Dzinziruk. Again, I have to say that I didn’t see the fight last night, although I have seen Barker.
Do you think that perhaps Martinez does better when he has something to respond to, as opposed to situations in which he has to initiate?
i think defensive shells are defensive shells no matter whether it’s vs Martinez or anyone else. They work, they just don’t win all by themselves.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
That’s exactly the thing, Ted: on an off-night, Sergio still managed to ultimately overwhelm a qualified and strategically well-positioned, if not “special” opponent. In its own way, that’s damn impressive. Manny went a little too far when he called what Barker was doing “beautifully perfect” (exact quote), but hey, expectation is the lens through which we see everything.
And yes, I'll perk up when I hear Baker's name again. He has true grit.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
I watched the fight on DVR late night, and I didn't think Martinez had an off night at all. Boss Man sums it up well above.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
Barker was awful
Fought like Clottey did v Pac, + a couple more weak jabs.
Oh and the cheerleading by Sky was shameful again.
by Shitali Klitschko on Oct 2, 2011 6:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Winky
I posted this in another thread, but that one seems to be dead so I’ll mention it here: Barker fought a bit like Winky Wright with less offense. He keeps his guard very high and his arms seem to be quite long from fist to elbow, so he has the ability to form a Winky-like shell on defense. Barker was also very disciplined on defense and did not give Sergio lots of opportunities. Still, I had it 98-92 for Sergio at the time of the stoppage; maybe one more round could have gone to the Englishman, but that’s about it. Not the most thrilling night of boxing, but Sergio did a good job of solving a pretty difficult stylistic puzzle.
I thought the same
But Winky at his best could shoot enough power in his punches to bust up his opponents.
Barker….I don’t think so
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Hey….if I’m Kelly Pavlik, I get my ass in re-hab and then back in the gym.
Barker most certainly showed how to make Martinez not just uncomfortable but bloody. Those straight rights weren’t accidents. They began busting up Martinez nose. Had they had more confidence and authority, the end may have been a lot different.
Whatever I may think of Floyd as a person, I watched that fight thinking OMG, Mayweather would embarrass Martinez with right hands all night long. He would back him up,cover up and shoot him dead on with right hands until the final bell
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
The only thing is Floyd will never fight Martinez
He’ll fight Berto instead. hah
Great to finally read a piece heaping the respect and much deserved praise on Darren Barker. I think considering everyone had him to get blown out the water, he spent most of the fight making things very awkward for Martinez, and didn’t leave Sergio with many options. Wasn’t a flashy performance from either, and in the end the better fighter in Martinez was victorious.
Hopefully Barker will get given another shot at some point as his style is a good matchup for most in the division, and hopefully he let’s his hands go just a touch more.
by NickHow1982 on Oct 3, 2011 2:31 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
It's another case of a guy who wins even though he loses. Like Matt Hatton against Canelo.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
Martinez is sort of the Donaire of the higher weight class.
He’s been so dominant in his wins that expectations are soaring high when he fights.
Why dont we ever see the headline "Psychic
wins lottery" in the newspapers?
How about Lee v. Barker
That would be a good fight at 160. It would presumably sell well in England.
by rantcatrat on Oct 3, 2011 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, if Macklin gets the shot at Martinez, why not put Lee in with Barker? Failing that I’m sure Barker would relish being the next British guy to face Sturm. I’m guessing he takes a bounce-back kind of fight against an obscure Euro guy that Sky will market as ‘world class’, on the basis that he has fought in two different continents.
Nobody will read this and care and why should they?
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