Pirog, Geale, Chavez Jr. and Murray all possible next matches for Barker

Options for Darren Barker's next fight include Russian WBO champion Dmitry Pirog, Mexican WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Australian IBF belt holder Daniel Geale, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

He also revealed that an offer has been put to Martin Murray, who eked out a respectable draw from his recent trip to Germany to challenge WBA 'Super World' middleweight belt holder Felix Sturm.

Barker had been earmarked for the chief support slot when Kell Brook faces Matthew Hatton in Sheffield on March 17, but news of that clash prompted talks of World title challenges, and a mouth-watering British clash with Martin Murray.

Hearn said: “I have had positive talks with Pirog and Geale’s promoters and I am in constant communication with Top Rank over a Chavez fight in May. We have made an offer to Martin Murray and are waiting to hear back from his team."

Hearn says they are ready to strike this week. He added: "It’s a very exciting time for Darren and he needs to have a date in his head to focus on now that he is back in the gym, so a decision will be made soon.”