Date set as Barker bids to regain European crown

Darren Barker’s vacant European middleweight title clash with Italy’s Domenico Spada will take place in London on 30 April, the EBU has confirmed. Come fight night Barker, who recently inked a promotional deal with Matchroom Sport having parted company with longterm mentor Mick Hennessy, will have been out of the ring for just over a year.

The 28-year-old Barnet man hasn’t fought since decisioning the rugged Affif Belgchecham to claim the vacant European middleweight crown on 9 April 2010. Barker’s highly anticipated showdown with Matthew Macklin was postponed in September after Barker aggravated a problematic hip injury in training, paving the way for Macklin to claim the once again vacant EBU crown with a stoppage over Georgia’s Shalva Jomardashvili.

Efforts to reschedule Barker-Macklin stalled after Macklin elected to take on world class veteran Ronald “Winky” Wright in April leaving, no prizes for guessing, the European 11st 6 belt without an owner once more.

30 year-old Roman Spada, 32(16)-3-0, has lost two matches on points to Sebastian Zbik, each for a supposed interim WBC title. Other than this, there are no real stand out names on his log.