'Dazzling' Darren Barker will headline Betfair's 'London's Finest' bill at Wembley arena on March 9. He faces 37-year-old Italian Simone Rotolo for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental middleweight title.
Barker, 24-1-0, 15 KO's, is a former British, European and Commonwealth middleweight champion and has fought on the World stage once before. In October 2011, he took on WBC 'Diamond' middleweight champion Sergio 'Maravilla' Martinez in New Jersey, USA. Barker, 30, gave an excellent account of himself, even breaking Martinez's nose early in the contest, but was unfortunately caught with a clean right hook to the temple in the 11th round which sent him to the canvas. He was unable to get back up. After just over a year out of action since that bout, due to injury, Barker returned to winning ways in style at London's Olympia last December. He destroyed Wales' Kerry Hope in just 4 rounds, as Hope's corner threw in the towel moments after Barker had sent Hope to the canvas. Barker claimed the vacant IBF Inter-Continental super-middleweight title with that win.
Simone Rotolo, 35-3-0, 15 KO's, turned pro in 1999 and has won titles throughout his career. He claimed the Italian light-middleweight title in 2001, in his 13th pro bout, and in 2002 claimed the WBA Inter-Continental light-middleweight title. In 2007, he took on German Sebastian Sylvester for the European middleweight title, which Sylvester was defending. Rotolo lost a close split decision over 12 rounds. Rotolo went on to claim the Italian middleweight title in March 2012 and successfully defended the belt in November.
Barker and Rotolo were due to meet last year as the fight was actually signed, but in September, Barker was forced to pull out due to an arm injury. Barker is eager to get back on the World stage, but must first stay focused and aim to get past the experienced Italian.
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Barker review