Darren Barker to fight Daniel Geale for IBF world title
- Published
Darren Barker has been given another world title chance with a bout against IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale in New York this summer.
Argentine Sergio Martinez knocked out the Londoner in the 11th round of his maiden world title tilt in 2011.
But Barker, 31, boosted his stock by stopping Italian Simone Rotolo in March and Welshman Kerry Hope in 2012.
Australian Geale now awaits on 17 August and Barker said: "This is a golden opportunity for me."
Since seeing off Rotolo, Barker has also been a stand-in trainer for Lee Purdy, throwing in the towel at the end of round seven after his charge took some significant blows.
Soon after that bout Barker's next fight against Geale was confirmed for the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Geale, 32, became a world champion in May, 2011 by beating Sebastian Sylvester.
Four successful defences have followed, the last a re-match points win against fellow Australian Anthony Mundine, who inflicted the only professional defeat of Geale in 30 contests in 2009.
- Published2 October 2011