Can Barker still become world champion?
Darren Barker was a gallant British loser last weekend. He wasn`t the first and he won`t be the last.
The likeable North Londoner`s brave world title dream ended in the 11th round against one of the considered pound for pound leaders in Argentine Sergio Martinez.
Suffering a first loss is never the sweetest taste for a proud pugilist even when that reverses occurs at the top table where the leading combatants feast, yet the sport has seen numerous occasions where fighters come back bigger and better.
The remaining question for ‘Dazzling’ to answer will be whether the former undefeated British, Commonwealth and European middleweight champion can come again and still make the grade in reaching the heights of a world ruler or will he join a long line of peak domestic boxers who just fell short at the highest height.
Since late 2010 unsuccessful home shore world crown challengers include seven men who held a native belt in Jason Booth, Rendall Munroe, Audley Harrison, Matthew Hatton, Brian Magee, Ryan Rhodes, Paul McCloskey and Matthew Macklin. Some like Barker can still look forward to a second chance at elite level while others will leave the sport as brave but beaten global participants.
There is a long list of British boxers before them who also bossed the British and European scenes but came second when contesting at universal level. Middleweights Tony Sibson, Herol Graham and Michael Watson each had three cracks at a world champion and despite giving their all never left the ring with that prized belt tied to their waist. Fight fans have engaged in many a debate as to who was the best British boxer never to win a world title and the usual suspects are often repeated. Graham, Jim McDonnell, Sibson, Kirkland Laing and Watson all fought the best of their era and Laing even had a memorable win over the legend Roberto Duran - however, their names will never be associated with world champion status.
Boxing has changed massively in recent years with the introduction of multiple belts and weights so one could conclude winning a version of the world title is some what easier in 2011. Men like McDonnell and Graham can never claim they are a former world champion, but they fought and lost to top notch men in Azumah Nelson,Brian Mitchell, Mike McCallum and the ferocious puncher Julian Jackson.
Like Barker they took on and succumbed to the best in their division which is no mean feat in itself. Furthermore consider Tony Sibson who tackled one of the greatest middleweights in history Marvin Hagler and British darling Henry Cooper who twice fought Muhammad Ali.
So why do some fighters become world champion while others miss out? Isn`t a case of if you're good enough you will come out on top no matter what? What about those who seem immensely gifted yet still fail at the highest level? And are there are any British boxers today who will reach the peak of their sport?
Promoter Frank Maloney handled the career of one of Britain`s greats, undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and claims from the moment he met the giant Olympic gold medallist it was obvious the east Londoner would become world champion.
“I remember meeting him at the airport in 1989 thinking this man is destined to be world champion, there was something about him.
“If he had have failed it would have been down to me.”
Maloney has seen the changing face of boxing yet holds his firm conviction ‘you have to beat the best to be the best.’
“The WBC, WBA, IBF, and the WBO champions should all box each other and the two winners meet in the final.
“(Having) one outright winner boxing will (help) become a major sport.”
The Chislehurst-based promoter has seen many talents come and go. However talent alone isn`t enough. Maloney like Floyd Mayweather believes hard work and dedication are the keys that open the door to world glory.
“Boxers have to cut themselves off from a normal life you have to be single minded like a boxing monk.”
Frank thinks there are common factors involved with those who fail to become a world champion.
“Sometimes the champions are strong and fighters don`t live the life.”
On reflection Maloney says he will have no regrets when his promotion days are over and wants his fighters to earn their chance rather than handing it to them or taking an easier route. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and Maloney is backing undefeated heavyweight David Price to follow in Lewis`s foot steps within the next 18 months. Price has given him the exact same feeling he had some 21 years ago when Lennox came on the scene. And if the Liverpool giant practices the Maloney disciplines of total commitment and belief we have a very special fighter to behold.
