Barker lands European title shot / Commonwealth crack for Murray

Darren Barker will fight France’s Affif Belghecham for the vacant European middleweight title at London’s Alexandra Palace on 9 April following Matthew Macklin’s decision to vacate through injury. The promotional co-feature will see Audley Harrison take on Michael Sprott for the also vacant European heavyweight crown.

Reigning British champion Barker is to vacate his Commonwealth title opening the door for St.Helens’ Martin Murray to contest the Commonwealth middleweight crown against a selected challenger on 21 May.

“I was always going to be European champion at some point, but with Mathew Macklin vacating the belt due to injury, it’s afforded me the opportunity sooner rather than later,” said the unbeaten Barker whose record stands at an impressive 21-0 (14ko).

Frenchman Affif Belghecham’s last outing was against Irishman Andy Lee back in November. The former EU and current French champion took Lee to points in a hard fought 10 rounder, giving Lee a few hairy moments in the tenth and final round but the referee handed the victory to the Irishman.

Belghecham still lost by seven points however (99-92), which begs the question how an earth can a wide points defeat earn a fighter a European title shot in his next fight?

The Frenchman possesses a modest 19-4-1 (4) record – all four of Belghecham’s defeats have come on points. The 27-year-old Barker was restricted to only two outings in 2009. The talented Barnet box-fighter last fought in November, stopping Bristol’s Danny Butler in the seventh round.