Barker trains in Tenerife

26 July 2010

Darren Barker will prepare for his European middleweight title defence against Matt Macklin with a training camp in Tenerife.

The Londoner puts his title on the line against his Brummie rival on September 18 at Birminghams LG Arena as part of Frank Warren’s massive Magnificent Seven show, live on Sky Box Office.

While Macklin will jet to the USA to team up with Freddie Roach, Barker will travel to the Canary Islands.

“Macklin needs to go half way round the world, I just get on a plane for a couple of hours and I’ll have the best training camp possible,” said Barker.

“I’ll be running up and down Mount Teide to get in shape. The facilities we have out there will be second to none.

“I can also call on the skills of the most under-rated trainer in boxing, Tony Sims.”

Sims added, “Darren will be in the best shape of his life. We’ve contacted a couple of people in France for some sparring, and we’ll be bringing them over to Tenerife.

“I’ve watched Matt Macklin throughout his career, and he’s a great fighter. But I think Darren’s hand-speed will win him this fight.”