The Only Way Is Essex for Dazzling Darren Barker

‘Dazzling’ Darren Barker will make the first defence of his European Middleweight title in Brentwood, Essex on July 23 – the home of the BAFTA winning TV show The Only Way Is Essex.

Barker claimed the belt for the second time with a fine performance against tough Italian Domenico Spada at London’s Olympia on April 30 and will defend that title and his unbeaten record in Essex live on Sky Sports against a top ranked European opponent, to be named soon.

After the fight, Sky Sports pundits Johnny Nelson and Glenn McCrory were wowed by Barker’s performance against Spada, with Nelson saying he “boxed supremely well having been out for 12 months” and McCrory calling Barker’s appearance “world class and from someone who belongs at world level”.

The man himself wasn’t totally satisfied but said the time in the ring was valuable after 12 months out, and he’s looking forward to fighting in Brentwood again for the first time since stopping Danny Butler in 2009 to defend his Commonwealth title and pick up the vacant British belt.

“I got rid of some ring rust against Spada – a man ranked at number six in the WBC, and I beat him handily,” said Barker. “They were twelve good rounds to get under my belt and I’m really looking forward to defending that title in Brentwood at the end of the July, when you’ll see much more from me.”

Also on the bill, Romford’s Tony Conquest will fight Leon Williams for the Southern Area Cruiserweight title and Waltham Abbey’s Daniel Cadman faces Danny Butler for the Southern Area Super-Middleweight belt. John Ryder will also feature on the bill and promoter Eddie Hearn is anticipating a hot night of action in his backyard of Brentwood.

“I wanted to get Darren out one more time before we fight for a World title and we are looking for a devastating razor sharp performance,” said Hearn.

“Last time Darren fought in Brentwood the atmosphere was electric and with local boys Conquest and Cadman already confirmed, the place is going to be banged out!”

Tickets for Darren Barker’s European Middleweight title defence with a full Championship undercard at the Brentwood Centre in Essex are available now priced £35 unreserved, £60 ringside and £100 VIP – to buy call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

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Darren Barker dazzles his way back to the European title



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Darren Barker, 28, quickly got rid of the cobwebs and his passionate fans were on their feet throughout a challenging 12-round tussle with Domenico Spada. 



The unbeaten middleweight star dominated the early rounds and, despite tiring a little towards the end, he fully deserved to walk away with a unanimous decision.

Barker said: "I'm better than that, but I haven't been in there for a year so there was a bit of rust, which I didn't honestly think there would be.

"It did creep up on me, but that's not taking anything away from Spada. What a tough opponent he was."



Italian Spada made life difficult for Dazzling Daz but the Chelsea football fan impressed with accurate, speedy combinations. He looked comfortable behind his tight guard and picked off his opponent if and when at will.

Barker was on the wrong end of a clash of heads in the third but continued to build his early growing lead on the judges scorecards.

Spada's spoiling tactics allowed him to connect with a solid left in the fifth round yet it was Barker who continued to land more quality shots and combinations.

The Chelsea fan began to find the going a bit tougher at the end of the seventh and into the eighth as Spada took the contest to him.

Barker's movement and speed gradually slowed during the later rounds but he remained on top until the final bell.

The scorecards were closer than everyone at ringside expected, with two judges calling it 116-113 and the other judge 115-113. Much to the surprise of "The Pride Of Wales" boxing legend Joe Calzaghe.

Welsman Calzaghe says : "I had Barker by at least four rounds. It did get a bit scrappy towards the end, but the classier boxer won the fight."

Regardless of whether he should have been given the decision by a greater margin, Barker was simply happy to reclaim the title he never lost, A hip injury had forced him to vacate a year ago.

Barker added: "Those 12 rounds were very valuable and they're in the bank now, so onwards and upwards."