Darren Dazzles again at the York Hall by Kevin Taylor Feb 22nd 2008

Barnet's Darren Barker made a successful first defence of his Commonwealth title when Steve Bendall was stopped due to a bad cut over his right eye in the seventh round of their title fight at the York Hall last night (Friday 22nd.) Barker made it seventeen wins out of seventeen when referee Richie Davies called it off after one minute fifty-four seconds of the round, after what looked like an accidental clash of heads opened up the wound above the Midlander's eye, but Barker was already well in control of the fight at that stage. The writing was on the wall for Bendall inside the first thirty seconds of the bout when a short right, only the second punch Barker had thrown in the fight, stopped him in his tracks and a follow up with the left hook put him down onto the canvas, and although up at four already the signs looked ominous for the 34 year old who was challenging for his third major title, after unsuccessful attempts at the British and European belts. Barker, who won the title with a complete shut out points victory against Australian Ben Crampton at the same venue back in November, looked assured behind his stinging jab and couldn't seem to miss with his right hand, as time and time he thudded leather against the head of his challenger and it only looked like a matter of time before Barker stopped his more experienced opponent. There's no doubting the talent of Barker, who won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2002 at Manchester, before embarking on his pro career in September 2004, after being denied the opportunity to box at the Olympics after a change in the weight categories left him unable to compete, and he oozed class while being roared on by his fanatical supporters from North London. Bendall was well behind by the half way stage of the fight, although he did have a bit more success in the sixth round when he caught Barker with a couple of left hooks, but the unbeaten champion just let them bounce off him as he landed at will himself. In the end the finish to the fight came as an anti-climax as after a clinch, the back of Barker's head seemed to catch Bendall and the result was a cut over the right eye, which didn't look too bad and after a quick check from referee Davies, Bendall was allowed to continue but after a couple more shots landed Davies decided he had seen enough and called it off, in fact he seemed to be ready to jump in at any point from the fifth round onwards. For Barker it was win number seventeen and win number seven at the spiritual home of boxing in Bethnal Green, and he delighted his fans with a neat little spin as they sang in unison ‘Darren, Darren give us a dance'. Next up for Barker could be a shot at the British title against the winner of the all-Midland's clash on April 25th, when Wayne Elcock and Darren McDermott go toe-to-toe for Elcock's Lonsdale belt. For Bendall it could signal the end of a 32-fight career that has seen him win the English title, before losing it in eight rounds to the aforementioned Elcock, but also seen him fall short in challenges for the British, Commonwealth and European titles, where he has been stopped on each occasion. For Barker there may still be some lingering doubts about his chin after hard-punching journeyman Conroy McIntosh put him down twice in July 2006 in the same ring before Barker stopped him in the seventh but there is also doubt that he has the ability to go a long way, just how far we'll have to wait and see but I have no doubts that the Commonwealth will not be only the belt that adorns the North Londoner's waist in fights to come. Photos: Bernard Miller

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