Sergio Martinez celebrates victory
|
Saturday night at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey Argentine tough guy Sergio Martinez takes on undefeated British boxer Darren Barker. Martinez is odds on to retain his title but as usual our brave army of writers once again put their reputations on the line to pick a winner.
*******
As much as I’d like to see a British boxer become world champion I just cannot Barker winning this one. I know he’s the bigger man nut Martinez is far too experienced and will a little too hard for the Londoner Martinez around the 10th round
Martinez tko 10
Clive Bernath
Editor In Chief
********
From what I have seen of Barker (You Tube) and what I have witnessed and know about Martinez, I see no reason to expect that this is not much more than a routine defense and a keep busy payday for Martinez. He is too fast and hits too hard for the untested Brit.
Martinez tko 8
Jerry Glick
Contributing Editor
New York Ciy
USA
******
This fight is a mere tune-up for Martinez. Barker has done very little to earn such a reputable opponent, but since Martinez has been quite busy against the best he is entitled to a softer touch. I know many of my UK brothers will disagree and I welcome that mates. However, I just can’t name the opponent he has faced which has prepared him for what he is going to see against Martinez. Barker’s opportunity reminds me a lot of Paul McCloskey’s. He will have his supporters going in and he may even benefit from a less focused performance from the favored fighter, but he will not win. He will never threaten to win. He will lose soundly. Martinez may be older, but he is in his prime form right now and simply has too many gifts in ability. I expect a one-sided drubbing inside of six rounds. Barker may hit the canvas multiple times similarly to Dzindziruk when they fought in Connecticut.
Martinez tko 6.
Derek Bonnett
Connecticut
USA
*****
I like Martinez in this one. Sure Barker’s unbeaten, etc, but Martinez is just a much better fighter in all areas of importance. It won’t be a slaughter because Barker is tougher than leather but Martinez will prevail. I like him by close unanimous decision, like 116-112 (twice) and 117-113.
Martinez pts 12
Mike Sloan
Las Vegas
USA
*****
Prediction- Martinez ko 10
Name- Adam Santarossa
State- NSW
Country- Australia
******
"Sergio Martinez has emerged as one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world. His win over Kelly Pavlik and knockout of Paul Williams were great performances that got him to that spot. I have seen little of Darren Barker, but the little I have seen he looked like a pretty good boxer with nice height. However, he does not seem busy enough nor does he display enough power to defeat the tough Argentine. I think Martinez wins again impressively and does so by a mid-round stoppage."
Martinez w tko 7
Derek Gionta
Pittsburgh, PA
USA
******
Martinez is surging right now. He’s a fighter in his absolute prime and is as close to Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings as anyone can get. He’s an exceptional talent who also fights in an exciting style. Barker is a good pro, with decent skills, but is out of his depth here. I see Martinez boxing smartly early and then taking it to Barker in the middle rounds, stopping him abruptly in the seventh round.
Martinez tko 7 Barker
Matthew Hurley
Boston, MA
USA
******
Darren Barker is the latest British export to travel and challenge for a middleweight title. Hopefully Barker turns out to be more Matthew Macklin than Gary Lockett. Although I have not seen anything to warrant the nickname, "dazzling", I believe that Barker brings enough to the table to present a challenge for Martinez. He is a natural middleweight. He fights behind a solid jab, and he possesses the confidence that comes along with a guy that has yet to learn how to lose. Also, he won’t exactly be heading into the lion’s den. However, Martinez presents problems that a person can not duplicate in sparring. His speed in the division is second to none, and he also has plenty to be confident about. I like Martinez to start fast and finish strong to preserve a wide points victory.
Martinez pts 12
Jason Pribilla
Bethlehem , PA
USA
*****
The Ring Middleweight Champ and P4P #3 Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez shows no signs of slowing down at 36 years of age. His power is evident and he can throw punches from various angles. This combination has made Martinez one of the more exciting fighters of the past decade. Although undefeated and European titlist, the challenger Barker is in over his head and has not much more than a puncher`s chance. The Champ will break the challenger methodically down and end the bout before the late rounds.
Martinez tko 6
Mikko Salo
Vantaa
Finland
*****
The Martinez-Barker match is a fight that has me excited. I am a HUGE FAN of fighters from the UK and Darren Barker. For Barker to step up and take this fight in America tells me he fears nothing. I think fans in America will be surprised how tough Barker really is. Both Martinez and Barker will bring toe to toe action and I think Barker will score a TKO somewhere between rounds 6-8.
Barker tko 6 or 8
Ron Valderrama.
Phoenix
Arizona USA
Martinez=9
Barker = 1
|
Subscribe to feed
