Darren Barker flies to America today to finish preparations for his IBF World middleweight title clash with Daniel Geale on August 17 at the Revel Hotel-Casino in Atlantic City.
The Londoner fights for a World crown for the second time in Atlantic City after taking on Sergio Martinez in October 2011. Since his brave 11th round defeat to the pound-for-pound star, the 31 year old has seen off his injury woes and recorded impressive back-to-back fourth round stoppage wins over Kerry Hope and Simone Rotolo.
Barker sets up camp in New Jersey this week to add the finishing touches to his plans, and he is confident he’ll return home with the belt.
“I truly believe I’m better than him,” said Barker. “Whilst I would never underestimate him, I truly believe it’s my time and my destiny.
“Our paths have mirrored the other; we both boxed in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, he won gold at welterweight, I won at light welterweight, and we boxed in the World Championships in 2003 in the same weight but on opposite sides of the draw.
“I’ve kept an eye on his pro career and I’m very confident. I know what he’s all about, I know what I’m all about and I know how to beat him so I can’t wait for August 17. This is what it’s all about – reaching the pinnacle of your sport should be everyone’s goal and I’m close to it now.”
It’s Barker’s second World title fight in Atlantic City, but a third World title experience after he was in the corner when gym mate Lee Purdy lost to Devon Alexander for the IBF World welterweight crown in May. For Geale, it’s the first time he’s boxed outside his Australian homeland and Baker believes that could be a crucial factor in the clash.
“I’ve had two failed attempts in Atlantic City really, so it feels like third time lucky,” said Barker. “He’s an Aussie, I’m a Brit, so it’s neutral ground but territory that I’m familiar with having boxed there and been in Lee’s corner so I feel I have a slight advantage in that respect.
“I’ve heard people say in the past that you can learn from defeat, but I always thought that was mad – how can anything good come from losing? It’s not until you experience something invaluable like a defeat in a World title fight to a World class pound-for-pound star like Sergio Martinez that you appreciate the sentiment and I really have taken that negative – losing in a World title fight – and built on it to go one better. I feel I’ve matured from it and I’m in my prime now.”
