Martinez vs Barker.... leaves me frustrated

Whilst I applaud Darren Barker for securing a fight with Martinez, I can't help but feel that its the sort of fight that the sport doesnt need. One of the worlds most talented fighters fighting a guy whos well ranked but about the third choice opponant.

I leave the balme at the feet Bob Arum. Martinez wanted to fight Chavez Jr and had the right to fight him as Emeritus WBC champ. [Emeritus champ has the right to challenge the champion whenever he wants].

But Chavez Jr turned the fight down caus he wanted Cotto (another Arum fighter). Arum claims that Martinez is not a PPV fighter, which is silly becuase Arum put him up against Pavlik on a PPV card. Lou DiBella was understandably furious and blasted Arum and then listed off Pacquaio's recent opponants and questioned their PPV viability.

Well I will be supporting Darren and I hope he gives a good account himself, but he is fortunate to get this oppurtunity. And once again, Arum is behind it.

Let's face it: Arum's a purple pontiff of the highest order.

impressed you can understand any of the emeritus champ/silver/gold broze/chocolate champion status at all. its lost on me.

im looking forward to this fight and think barker will put up a good fight. not sure he has enough to win this one though.

I'm no fan of Arum but I can't understand why Martinez and DiBella appear to be above criticism on these boards.

Barker is a decent boxer but hasnt really fought beyond Euro level and is totally unknown with US fans. I don't see what Martinez gets from beating him.

Especially when you consider that Dmitry Pirog has shown interest in fighting Martinez for a few months now. However, DiBella was dismissive of the Russian and suggested that he needs to raise his profile before he deserves a shot. Martinez said Pirog would be "a backward step".
This is despite the fact that Pirog holds a world title, has fought before on HBO and is one of the more rated fighters at MW.

What exactly does Barker bring to the table? He doesnt have a title or a large following. Does Martinez consider him a step foward?

He has little to do.

No-one at Middle is rated very highly. Super-Middle's best fighters are all occupied; apart from Bute, who gets a nosebleed ten metres from his front door. None of the better light-middles want him and/or are signed to Arum.

Guess is Martinez stops Barker in the middle rounds and then pushes for a really big one in the first half of 2011. Could see him getting Kessler if his comeback is successful; no chance of Bute.

And there is no way Arum lets Cotto or Chavez near him.

We all know what Arum's Pacman plan is in 6 to 9 months if they can't get Mayweather to sign...

HBO are also infuential in deciding who fights who and the Pirog camp seem to claim that HBO are punishing him for beating Danny Jacobs.

Barker is good fight for him. Top ranked contender with the WBC. HBO will give him a nice exposure to the American market.

Barker should of gone after Chavez, that was a fight he would of won comfortably imo. This is a bridge too far, Martinez hasn't been in with anyone soft for at least 2 years, lets not forget the last guy he fought Dzinziruk was unbeaten and had made 6 defences of a world title he held for 6 years, Martinez made him look daft and dropped him 5 times. Barker isn't easy, but Maravilla should win comfortably enough.

Chavez looks set for a fight with Manfredo and Arum wouldnt have looked at him.

Dzinziruk's record wasn't much kop, you would struggle to name a single person on his record prior to Martinez. Add to that Martinez was fighting him at a weight above where he held his title.

Barker will provide a sterner test believe me.

Did any of you see pirogs last fight?? He looked awful, yes Martinez needs to get his promoter to step it up, but most people are scared to fight him. Martinez had to fight williams (the self proclaimed most avoided man in boxing) to get a fight. Barker is going to take an absolute pasting, no doubt in my mind, but props to him for having more guts than julio cesar chavez jr.

It's good to see british fighters at least getting a shot at the big names the last few years, Gary Lockett and Michael Jennings have had a crack and now Hatton and Rhodes get a shot at boxings rising star. I don't give barker a chance but i will be cheering him on all the same, credit to him for taking the fight

top rank want barker as chavez's first title defence in september according to epsn. apparently martinez's team went sent out offers to andy lee, williams, chavez, cotto and geale, none wanted the fight.

BoxingFan88 wrote:Did any of you see pirogs last fight?? He looked awful, yes Martinez needs to get his promoter to step it up, but most people are scared to fight him. Martinez had to fight williams (the self proclaimed most avoided man in boxing) to get a fight. Barker is going to take an absolute pasting, no doubt in my mind, but props to him for having more guts than julio cesar chavez jr.

The fact remains that Pirog is one of the more highly rated fighters at MW, has fought in America before on HBO, and a fight between him and Martinez would be a unification event.

Most importantly, Pirog actually appears interested in fighting him.

Could you please explain to me how Barker is more deserving of a shot than Pirog?

Would definately like to see Pirog there instead but glad a british fighter is in there rather than some unknown european or something, makes it a lot more appealing.

The Galveston Giant wrote:Would definately like to see Pirog there instead but glad a british fighter is in there rather than some unknown european or something, makes it a lot more appealing.

I'm happy for Barker but lets be honest. The only reason why this fight has some appeal for us is because Barker is British and fairly well liked on the domestic/Euro scene.
Outside of the UK, he is a total unknown. Most Americans havent got a clue who he is and consider this to be a total mis-match/joke.
I don't see what Martinez gets from this, especially for a boxer who is looking for bigger fights and is attempting to gain more exposure.

J.Benson II wrote:

The Galveston Giant wrote:Would definately like to see Pirog there instead but glad a british fighter is in there rather than some unknown european or something, makes it a lot more appealing.

I'm happy for Barker but lets be honest. The only reason why this fight has some appeal for us is because Barker is British and fairly well liked on the domestic/Euro scene.
Outside of the UK, he is a total unknown. Most Americans havent got a clue who he is and consider this to be a total mis-match/joke.
I don't see what Martinez gets from this, especially for a boxer who is looking for bigger fights and is attempting to gain more exposure.

I agree Benson that this is a waste of time for Martinez, if it hadn't been a british fighter i probably wouldn't even bother watching it, don't think the Amercans will be interested.

Barker has no chance, its just a decent payday for him thats all, he looks European level at best, can see Martinez doing a real job on him!

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