Macklin: Barker’s in my shaddow

21 July 2010

Matthew Macklin has turned up the heat ahead of his showdown with big fight rival Darren Barker – and told him “you will always be in my shadow”.

The pair clash at the LG Arena, Birmingham, on September 18 as part of Frank Warren’s action-packed Magnificent Seven show, live and exclusive on Sky Box Office.

Barker’s British and European middleweight titles will be on the line in the big showdown billed as the biggest in the division since Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank met 20 years ago.

But Macklin has already been in possession of the European and British belts before – and did not lose them in the ring – and says Barker will always be a step behind.

“He was a good amateur, but I was a better one,” said Macklin.

“I was far superior to him.

“Likewise in the pros, he has always been in my shadow. Every fight I’ve had, Darren has been a step or two behind me.

“I won the British title before him, I won the European title before him and I will win a world title before him.

“Don’t get me wrong, this is a great fight and I have a lot of respect for Darren.

“This is definitely going to be my hardest fight since I met Jamie Moore.

“But after I have beaten Darren, he’ll be back in my shadow again, and that’s the way it is going to be during our careers.”