Barker Claims Commonwealth Title

Londoner Darren Barker won the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Wednesday(Nov 14) when he unanimously out-pointed Australian Ben Crampton.

Barker produced an impressive performance in clearly out-pointing Crampton by scores of 119-110 and 120-108, twice. The 25 year-old is now unbeaten in 21 fights as a professional. Barker, who considered leaving the sport last December after his brother Gary tragically died in a car accident, was never in trouble and very nearly floored the resilient Australian in the fourth round after connecting with a short left hook to the body.

On the same card Morden’s Lenny Daws and Nigel Wright from Hartlepool,battled to a 10 round draw in an entertaining bout. Daws had previously out-pointed Wright for the British title in May 2006 but tonight the honours were even. Wright started well and built an early lead but Daws rallied and battled late on to force a draw.