Sergio Martinez retained his RING middleweight title with an 11th-round knockout of game British challenger Darren Barker on Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J. Barker was far more competitive than many expected him to be.
Two-time welterweight beltholder Paul Williams is being considered for a bout with WBC junior middleweight titleholder Saul Alvarez in September.
Martinez knocks out game Barker in 11th round, retains middleweight title
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Sergio Martinez retained his RING middleweight title with an 11th-round knockout of game British challenger Darren Barker on Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J. Martinez (48-2-2, 27 knockouts) out-worked Barker in every round but the London, England resident gave the champion more trouble than any opponent in recent memory with careful but effective boxing basics. However, Martinez began to wear down the competitive challenger by the late rounds, and in the 11th he connected with a cuffing right hook behind the ear that put Barker down for referee Eddie Cotton's 10 count. Martinez was up 99-91, 97-93, 96-94 at the time of the stoppage. A post-fight column will be posted shortly. |