Hennessy names date and venue for Macklin-Barker clash

According to the EBU’s official site, Hennessy Sports intend to stage the on-off European middleweight title showdown between Matthew Macklin and Darren Barker on 19 February at Wembley Arena - IF (and that’s a big if) it goes ahead. Promoter Mick Hennessy submitted the winning purse bid for Macklin-Barker on 10 January, and in accordance EBU regulations had a two week window to announce the date and venue for the much anticipated contest.

With strong rumours that Macklin is set to face veteran Ronald ‘WInky’ Wright in America on 9 April (as reported by BoxRec News earlier this week), it would be highly surprising if the Birmingham man opted to accommodate Barker in three weeks time, if indeed at all now. The likelihood is that Macklin will relinquish his European crown and Barker will compete for the vacant championship against another ranked challenger on 19 February on a bill that will also feature a brace of British title match-ups between Lenny Daws and Ashley Theophane (light-welter) and John O'Donnell against Craig Watson (welter).

German Mahir Oral, who unsuccessfully challenged Sebastian Sylvester for the IBF title in October, is currently ranked first in the EBU’s middleweight ratings. Other possible opponents for Barker could be Ireland’s Andy Lee (ranked four) who is without a dance partner following John Duddy’s shock recent retirement, and reigning Commonwealth champion Martin Murray (ranked five) who is known to fancy his chances of defeating Barker.