Darren Barker Suffers Arm Injury, Out of Sept. 8 Fight

Former European middleweight champion Darren Barker is out of his scheduled September 8 return to the ring after suffering an arm injury, Sky Sports is reporting, meaning that welterweight Lee Purdy has been bumped up the card into the main undercard bout. The show will be headlined by a light heavyweight clash between Tony Bellew and Edison Miranda.

Barker (23-1, 14 KO) hasn't fought since his October 2011 loss to Sergio Martinez, where he was fairly competitive and at the least held his ground until he was knocked out in the 11th round. Barker suffered a perforated eardrum in the fight, and had possible fights called off earlier this year with nagging injuries, giving him the reputation of a guy who is pretty injury-prone.

Promoter Eddie Hearn says this is a new injury, however, which in a way makes it better than an old injury coming back on Barker.

"I am gutted for Darren as he's been looking great in training and I know he was ready to get back to what he does best. The only good news is that it is a new injury rather than an aggravation of an old injury and we hope he will be back in action very soon."

The 30-year-old Barker was set to face Simone Rotolo. Purdy will be facing Gumersindo Carrasco for a minor IBF title. Sky Sports will televise the show in the United Kingdom.