Filed under: Boxing
Darren Barker is edging ever nearer to his dream world title shot as a match-up with WBC champion Sergio Martinez is almost signed, but the Barnet man will have it all to do if he faces the top-class Argentinean.Barker, the current European champion, was due to defend his title this summer but promoter Eddie Hearn has been working tirelessly in recent weeks to get his fighter a crack at one of the middleweight world titles.
And it appeared last night that the Matchroom team have managed to secure Barker a shot at world glory - but he is set to face one of the best in the business.
Terms between both parties have been agreed and Hearn revealed that they are just waiting for the contracts to be drawn up and signed.
Martinez's promoter, Lou DiBella, revealed they are just waiting on HBO, the US broadcaster, to give the bout the thumbs up and then all the formalities can be finalised with the likely venue either Las Vegas or New York.
Barker will be hoping to get it all sorted as soon as possible so he can begin preparations for what will be the biggest night of his career to date.
The Barnet man has already been in training with a summer defence of his European crown already mooted, but he will need to be in the best shape of his life if he is to overcome Martinez.
The Buenos Aires native is regarded as one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world, second only to Manny Pacquiao, and was always widely recognised as the 2010 fighter of the year.
And with just two defeats spanning a career total of 51 fights, Martinez holds a pretty impressive record - much better than anyone Barker has faced in the past.
But while the Englishman may not have as an impressive a c.v. as his counterpart, he will no doubt believe he can dethrone the WBC king.
Barker revealed in the early hours via his Twitter account: "It's show time baby! Looks like the fight I've been after has been agreed! Don't doubt me, follow and support me.
"Thanks for all your support - got a tough one so going to need it but I'm extremely confident!"
There's no doubting Barker is deserving of his world title shot after getting his career back on track with a decent points victory over Italian Domenico Spada back in April to claim the European strap.
Recurring injuries, the sad loss of his brother and suffering a violent street attack had left Barker on the fringes as his career struggled to get going.
But a switch to join the Hearn stable has revitalised the Barnet boxer and his hard work to get back to the top looks set to finally pay off.
Taking on Martinez will be a daunting prospect, but even if Barker was to return home empty-handed, an impressive showing on the other side of the Atlantic would raise his profile considerably.
Barker will still be confident of causing an upset no matter how high the odds are stacked against him and he won't just want to be remembered as a spirited challenger.
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