OCTOBER 1 2011 marks Darren Barker?s date with destiny. The Barnet man is travelling to Atlantic City?s famous Boardwalk Hall to go toe-to-toe with one of the current pound-for-pound kings, Sergio Martinez.
?After 17 years of fighting, it?s a dream come true to be facing Martinez,? Barker beamed. ?I had always said to Eddie [Hearn], ?If Sergio Martinez ever offers us a fight, please take it.? Now it?s happened and I couldn?t be more excited. I?m buzzing for October 1.?
After suffering various injuries during past training camps for previous fights, ?Dazzling? Darren has had no such misfortune in the lead-up to the Martinez clash. ?It?s been great to have an injury-free training camp so far,? the Barnet man stated. ?I?ve been able to concentrate on perfecting my game plan and getting super fit. Everything is going so well, it feels too good to be true.
?I?m travelling out to Canada at the end of August. I?ve got some quality southpaw sparring set up for when I get out there. Being handed the opportunity to fight out in America proves that I?m doing something right. After winning all of my 23 bouts as well as the European title, I feel like I deserve my shot. I?m all wrong for Martinez and I?ve got the tools to cause him a lot of problems. I?m going to shock the world on October 1.?
Despite only having had two fights in the past 16 months, Barker feels well prepared for his biggest career test to date. ?My last opponent Domenico Spada was a tough, quality fighter who was ranked at number six by the WBC. I got a strong 12 rounds out against him, which will put me in good stead going into my next bout.?
