[Roe]

By @shaun_brown (aka @WritingPride) - http://www.livefight.com/news.php?news_id=2768&y=2013&m=05

IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale is expected to announce tomorrow who the opponent will be for the fifth defence of his world title.

Courtesy of www.aus-boxing.com it appears that three names are in the running and Livefight understands that Darren Barker is one of them.

Geale, 32, successfully defended his strap in January with a unanimous decision victory over domestic rival Anthony Mundine and in the process gaining revenge for a loss back in 2009.

Barker, 30, whose only blemish on his professional record was an eleventh round stoppage loss to middleweight king Sergio Martinez in 2011, is chomping at the bit to get another crack at a world title.

He told Livefight: "I feel like I'm the obvious choice really. We both won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2002 [Barker at light welterweight and Geale at welterweight] and we've been on a similar path ever since. Plus we've got The Ashes coming up and the British Lions touring Australia so this would be a perfect addition to the England-Australia rivalry.

"I've spoken to Eddie [Hearn] and he's been on the phone with Geale's people. Both teams have been in talks and I'd imagine it'd be for some time in July."

 

[Lunny]

This would be a great fight for Barker and one I think he'd have a chance with. Imagine if he got that belt, the British middleweight scene would be so ripe.

 

[Earl-Hickey]

If I was Barker i'd tell hearn i'm not going over there to fight him.

Australian boxing is a sham, it's far worse than you can imagine, and there are always shenanigans.

Neutral ground or bring him over, but do not go down there to get mugged off by crocodile dundee.

 

[Lunny]

If I was Barker i'd tell hearn i'm not going over there to fight him.

Australian boxing is a sham, it's far worse than you can imagine, and there are always shenanigans.

Neutral ground or bring him over, but do not go down there to get mugged off by crocodile dundee.

very true. Aussie boxing is fucking awful

 

[Wallet]

Geale probably thought the same about boxing in Germany before he won there... twice.

 

[kingkodi]

Good fight this.

 

[WritingPride]

How about Frampton v Darchinyan on undercard? GB v Aus card.

 

[tdw]

If I was Barker i'd tell hearn i'm not going over there to fight him.

Australian boxing is a sham, it's far worse than you can imagine, and there are always shenanigans.

Neutral ground or bring him over, but do not go down there to get mugged off by crocodile dundee.

I personally don't see how he could turn it down. He will never get a better chance. Hope this happens

 

[Bryn]

This would be a great fight for Barker and one I think he'd have a chance with. Imagine if he got that belt, the British middleweight scene would be so ripe.

Ripe scene.

 

[JamieC]

Geale is the champion, if Barker has to go to him then he has to go to him, the chance of the robbery is there but if he wants the belt it might be what he has to do

 

[Roe]

Yeah I don't see a problem in Barker going out there. It's not ideal but if he gets robbed then you've just got to deal with that then. It's still worth taking the chance.

I can definitely see Sky hyping this as the England/Australia rivalry continuing and it could get Barker some major recognition. Win-win.

 

[Batkilt]

I think Barker has the right attitude to be honest. He travelled to the States to fight Martinez, is/was willing to fight Chavez in Mexico or Texas, and is willing to fight Geale in Australia. Sure, there's a chance of a robbery - but Geale could say the same about coming to the UK. Barker doesn't seem concerned with that, as he seems to believe he's going to win. If you travel around the world for a fight thinking "I'll probably get robbed here" then you might as well not bother going, as you've already beaten yourself, in my opinion.

Also, hi guys!

 

[Bryn]

Hey dude. :hi:

 

[Batkilt]

I keep forgetting to log in here, but was speaking to Marky about boxing again today so thought I'd log on while it was fresh in me heid...

 

[scribbs]

I like this fight, Geale's no mug tbh, for me a genuine 50/50 fight. If it comes off & Barker wins then it will open the doors to some domestic clashes especially if Macklin upsets GGG. Intriguing times for UK middle division.

 

[Michael]

Hope barker wins the title, he along with all the British/Irish middleweights are pure old school guys who will fight anyone and dont give a fuck where they have to go to do it. They're a breath of fresh air.

 

[JamieC]

Hope barker wins the title, he along with all the British/Irish middleweights are pure old school guys who will fight anyone and dont give a fuck where they have to go to do it. They're a breath of fresh air.

...apart from each other under any circumstances.

 

[adamcanavan]

...apart from each other under any circumstances.

Tbf macklin was lined up to fight barker twice (definitely once, cant remember if there was a second) and barker pulled out both times

 

[Bryn]

...apart from each other under any circumstances.

Beat me to it. :yep

 

[Post Box]

Barker takes this you know