Philippines, 03 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DARREN BARKER 'S GALLANT EFFORT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP SERGIO MARTINEZ'S "NIGHT OF WONDER"


PhilBoxing.com




Atlantic City, New Jersey - The title of tonight's fight was named after his moniker. He is tonight's headliner in a bout televised worldwide. He is a star in the rising, if not a star yet. Tonight, Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez came up yet again with a magnificent but hard earned performance against a 26-1 underdog who fought like he wasn't one. It took eleven grueling and bloody rounds for the recognized middleweight king to deliver the goods tonight at the Boardwalk Hall Arena here in Atlantic City.

Sergio Martinez suffered a broken nose in the fourth round after unbeaten Englishman Darren Barker showed that he is not a push over as everyone expected he will be. Barker came in determined to score the upset of the year against Martinez showing good defense and ring generalship early in the fight. He sneaks in a couple of right hands that landed on Martinez's face often. It resulted in Martinez suffering a broken nose in the fourth round with blood oozing from his nose from then on. This bothered Martinez who seemed to be up for a fight against the 23-0 boxer from London, England. Barker throws in three punch combos that stopped Martinez's advances at times and a tight defense that made it longer for Martinez to penetrate.

But Martinez found his rhythm in the second half of the fight. He described it as "his second wind." He also found his right hand connecting on Barker. "I knew I would good stronger as the fight went on. "He said after the fight. His speed helped too, as he threw multiple combinations on Barker with majority of it landing, despite Barker doing a good job blocking most of it. The telling round came in the 10th round when Martinez landed a right hook which stunned and shook Barker. The Englishman retreated and kept both his hands high as Martinez relentlessly attacked from all angles. Hurt, Barker survived that round and went back to his corner wobbly.

Martinez, who has his number two pound for pound rating overtaken by Floyd Mayweather last week rose up in the 11th round eager to finish the job of the previous round. With Barker mostly in defensive mode, Martinez stormed with fury landing with both left and right hands. A right hook did the job for the fighter from Buenos Aires. Barker folded after getting hit and this time he won't survive the

round and the fight. " I kept throwing the right hand because I knew it would begin to land." he verbalized after the fight. "It was landing more and more as the fight went on." Martinez added.

Sergio Martinez continued his impressive performance of late. This was his fourth consecutive victory after his draw with Paul Williams in this same building. Three of them were spectacular knockouts including that of tonight. Wins like this will make his stocks rise even more and a big name opponent will soon figure in his future. But the question is will he stay fighting in the middleweight level or insist in fighting the two top fighters of the sport who fights two weight classes before him in Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. "I am ready to fight anyone as long as we can come to a good deal with me and come with a good deal for my rival." Martinez stated after his victory.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Set for All-Ohio World Title Clash Saturday LIVE on TNT & DAZN
    , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Dologuin Fights Alsayyad: Flyweight Showdown Today in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Enano to fight for IBO Oceania featherweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • IM Garcia captures National Open chess title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026
  • Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • 12-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October
    , Mon, 29 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.