Previously undefeated middleweight Darren Barker fought better than anyone expected ... and still lost virtually every round against pound-for-pound #3 Sergio Martinez. We've got complete fight coverage, including punch stats and official scoring at the time of the stoppage.
On the undercard, middleweight contender Andy Lee avenged the only loss of his professional career with a lopsided ten round unanimous decision over Brian Vera. Lee, trained by Emanuel Steward, may get the next shot at Martinez.
If not Lee, who would you like to see Martinez fight next? Assume he will not get his wish and lure either Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to move up in weight for a big money bout. Vote in our poll.
Comments
Martinez did not look like a p4p top 5. If the cheat Margarito wins which I hope not, he would be the logical choice. Brave Cotto I believe is to small. There isn’t a lot of choice unless he goes to super middle and I think he’s to small for that division. Hard to imagine him beating Bute, Froch or Ward. Maybe if Oscar nominee Andre Dirrel can ressurect his career this could be a possibility. I would hate to see Mayweather or Pacquiao take that fight before they prove who is the best in their division, and again I think size would be the obstacle.
Manny is way to small and would have to gain at least 15 to 20 pounds. Since Floyd Jr. is to scared to fight Manny, then he should fight Sergio.
Great comment Mike. @William;You completely contradict yourself with you’re comment.Either he’s too small or he’s not.
As far as I’m concerned Manny has gone enough up the weights.I dont think he’s ever weighed more than 146ish going into a fight. Martinez should either stay put and see who comes along,proving he’s best at the weight. Or if really looking for a big-draw fight,then move up in weight himself.
At the moment all he can do is beat what’s put in front of him.
Very impressive against Barker I thought.
I look forward to see how things develope.
Martinez is a “new Kid on the block” in the P4P ratings, a late bloomer. BUT… he’s no “Kid” by no means, actually going on his 37th birthday. He WON’T get any better, quite the contrary. He’s fortunate enough to come around in a rather weak division. Chavez Jr won’t fight him. A rematch with Pavlik would’ve sold well but Pavlik doesn’t seem to interested in fighting anybody with a pulse. Sad because their fight surely merited a return encounter. Sturm?? Nobody cares about Sturm, who’s satisfied SAFELY fighting 2nd tier 160Lb’ers in Germany rather than risk getting ripped off again in the states. The De La Hoya ROBBERY experience was enough to convince him to fight at home. Martinez vs Pirog?? hmmmm…. Interesting. I would mind seeing that one.
Martinez is a very good fighter, and I think, despite his “advanced age” of 37, is getting better and better if only because he faces very good opponents, and Barker was a capable fighter. Martinez he learns each fight. He paces himself better, figures out his opponents better, looks for openings, and avoids punishment. The power in his hands is impressive. He is not a big middleweight and that wil limit him, as it should. He should do what he does best, and not overextend. Hopkins is much too larger for him at this stage, and if Pavlik ever got back into form, he would also be too big. Fouch is a maybe, I think, but not until we see what he does his next outing, postponed now to december as I recall. Manny is too small, and I think with all his activities outside the ring, especially politics, he will likely hang up the gloves soon. It has been a long time since we have seen such a good fighter and a very good person as Martinez.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM FIGHT ANTONIO MARGARITO.
IF NOT I WOULD BE CONTENT IF HE BEATS THE S*** OUT
OFF F.MAYWEATHER .
Martinez needs another promoter he got the power to fight for a bigg money fight .and I really think that he can retired bernard hopkin .that will be a very good .fight.that”s where the money is two great fighter .two bulls in one ring.size for martinez won”t matter he got the power he can fight . Mayweather.he is not interested in moving up in weight class to fight martinez for me he can retired now if he like .pac man isn”t going to fight martinez. Cotto .either margarito won”t make it .super midle weight yeah there are some good fighter .ward.froach.and others.bernard.hopkins and martinez make it happen.$$$$$$$ that”s where the money is m
Lets see couple of new prospects edwin la bomba rodriguez vs julio ceasar chavez jr.
If Martinez had another early KO, it would be had to find an opponent. He chose to make the fight entertaining and give the somewhat small crowd their money’s worth.