Betfair Christmas Cracker: Barker to begin another world tilt with a win

Darren Barker is an accurate puncher

The Betfair Christmas Cracker features an astonishing 10 fights and Darren Barker's rumble with Kerry Hope for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental Super-Middleweight contest could be an early festive treat. Alex Steedman runs through the bout

Darren Barker has been battling himself and injury more than he has opponents in recent years but it would be a real shame if 'Dazzling' Darren doesn't get another crack at the big one. Barker proved his class in a World Title challenge last October when losing late on to the excellent Sergio Martinez and he faces a much less dangerous southpaw in Kerry Hope this weekend.

Motivation has to be the key for Barker given he's a better boxer than Hope and has operated at a higher level too. There's no doubt that has been an issue in the past as has the inactivity which has seen Barker out of the ring for a year on two separate occasions since April 2010. Barker has come back before, winning two European Title fights against solid opponents who have gone the distance with World Title challengers.

As he approaches 31, Barker probably has one run left in him so he can't afford any slip ups but Hope ought not to represent a banana skin.

Barker is an accurate puncher if not a heavy hitter but he is above domestic operators as underlined by his stoppage wins over Darren McDermott and Stevie Bendall. It's possible that Hope, who has just the one knockout win to his credit, fits into that category. Certainly Hope makes mistakes and Barker is likely to capitalize on that but Hope did go 20 rounds with the decent Polish puncher Gregorz Proksa and he's looked more solid since moving up to middleweight.

Barker could easily outclass Hope and he will be full of desire on his return to the ring but given the absence, Barker on points looks the value call. I'm sure Barker will be relieved just to be back and pleased to win any way he can.

Recommended Bet
Back Barker by Dec/TD