Boxing weekend prediction: Martinez to beat Barker
We highlight the fights to watch this weekend and bring you our prediction for Sergio Martinez v Darren Barker
We list the fights to watch this weekend and predict the outcome of the middleweight clash between world No1 Sergio Martinez and undefeated British challenger Darren Barker.
Friday 30 September, 2011
Liam Walsh v Paul Appleby
London, England
12 rounds super featherweight for Walsh’s Commonwealth title
Ajose Olusegun v Ali Chebah
California, USA
12 rounds light welterweight
Saturday 1 October, 2011
Steve Cunningham v Yoan Hernandez
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
12 rounds cruiserweight for Cunningham’s IBF title
Sebastian Sylvester v Grzegorz Proksa
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
12 rounds middleweight for vacant European title
Karo Murat v Gabriel Campillo
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
12 rounds light-heavyweight
Juan Manuel Lopez v Mike Oliver
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
12 rounds featherweight
Roman Martinez v Daniel Attah
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
12 rounds super featherweight
Gavin Rees v Derry Matthews
Newport, Wales
12 rounds lightweight for Rees’ European title
Sergio Martinez v Darren Barker
New Jersey, USA
12 rounds middleweight
Andy Lee v Brian Vera
New Jersey, USA
10 rounds middleweight
Roman Gonzalez v Omar Soto
Nevada, USA
12 rounds light flyweight for Gonzalez’ WBA title
Toshiaki Nishioka v Rafael Marquez
Nevada, USA
12 rounds super bantamweight for Nishioka’s WBC title
Prediction
Martinez to beat Barker by late knockout
Barker will use his superior height and reach to keep the bout competitive in the early rounds, avoiding most of Martinez’s most dangerous punches by using his jab and decent foot work. However, as the fight progresses Martinez will begin to dictate the tempo with his own athletic ability, subtle jab and damaging left hand. Barker will be forced to become more offensive in a bid to keep the Argentine at bay, leaving him open to Martinez’s left hand. As the fight enters the later rounds Martinez will increasingly land at will as his relatively inexperienced opponent tires, forcing the referee to step in and bring the fight to an end.
