Barker and Macklin to renew domestic rivalry?

The possibility of Darren Barker and Matthew Macklin sharing a ring to determine the best middleweight in Britain has moved a step closer following the EBU’s decision to install Macklin (left) as mandatory challenger for Barker’s European title. The fighters’ representatives and interested parties have until 18 June to reach an agreement or lodge purse bids to the EBU’s offices in Rome.

Macklin was due to defend his British middleweight title against Barker last year but pulled out after securing a European title shot which he duly won by blasting Finland’s Amin Asikainen to defeat inside around in September. Barker subsequently captured the vacant British crown with a stoppage over Bristol’s Danny Butler two months later.

Macklin hasn’t fought since sustaining a hand injury during his points triumph over Rafael Sosa Pintos in Dublin in December which ruled him out of his scheduled European title defence against Russia’s Dimitry Pirog in February.

The recuperating Birmingham man then chose to relinquish his European crown amid rumours of a major fight against Australia’s Daniel Geale, Ireland’s John Duddy or Ronald “Winky” Wright stateside. At the time of writing however, none of these fights have been signed and sealed which could persuade Macklin to turn his attentions back to Barker.

The unbeaten Barker added the vacant European title to his British by outpointing France’s rugged Affif Belghecham last month. Barker has been linked with making his defence against Limerick’s Andy Lee but a showdown with Matthew Macklin, currently ranked in the world’s top 10 by all four major sanctioning bodies, could be much more attractive for the Barnet man.