Hainualt beats LA any day for middleweight champ Barker

Barking and Dagenham13th August, 2010

European middleweight king Darren Barker has ridiculed rival Matthew Macklin for boasting that sessions in Freddie Roach's Wildcard gym in Los Angeles will give the Midlander key advantage when they meet at Birmingham's LG Arena on September 18.

The European title meeting between Britain's premier 11st 6lb duo is likely to be the highlight of promoter Frank Warren's 'Magnificent Seven' bill and predictably both men are confident of victory.

Macklin has made a series of trainer changes since turning pro in 2001, but believes his latest switch to Roach's gym will give him the edge over Barker.

"I spent some time training at the Wildcard at the start of my career and it's always been on my mind to go back there at some point," he said.

"When you see the improvements that Freddie has made with fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan it shows you just how good a trainer he is.

"The next few years in my career will be massive and to have Freddie in my corner will be a huge bonus," said Macklin who earlier left Manchester trainer Joe Gallagher.

In contrast, Barker has remained loyal to the coach Tony Sims, who has guided the former Repton amateur star to 22 straight victories during his six-year pro career from his base at the Hainault gym.

"Tony Sims is one of the most underrated trainers in the world and I only need to travel half-an-hour to see him instead of having to go half way around the world," said Barker in direct reference to Macklin's treks to LA.

"I'm very close to Tony and he's a brilliant trainer who never stops teaching me things. He also drafts in some quality Russian sparring partners," said Barker, who travels for high-altitude training in Tenerife with Sims to prepare for the biggest fight of his career.

Local favourite Macklin vows to "blow Barker away" after claiming that his domestic rival is "not on his level."

Barker shares the belief, that what should be an even fight could prove one-sided, but the unbeaten champion feels the outcome will go firmly in his favour.

"I think Matthew's one-dimensional and I'm supremely confident of beating him. I know he can box as you don't reach his level by simply being a roughhouse, but in terms of his all-round ringcraft, boxing ability and handspeed he's just not in my league.

"I also feel my power is underestimated and I'll definitely get the better of him," said Barker. "I don't believe that it's possible for him to want this more than me."

Macklin v Barker could well prove to be Britain's most memorable middleweight showdown since Chris Eubank defeated Nigel Benn in nine brutal rounds for the WBO middleweight crown in November 1990 and this fight will take place in the same arena, recently re-branded the LG Arena from the NEC.