By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes
Promoter Eddie Hearn has big plans for the new IBF middleweight champion Darren Barker (26-1, 16KOs), but WBA/IBO champ Gennady Golovkin (27-0, 24KOs) is not in his immediate plans. The next move for Barker will be his mandatory obligation, against Felix Sturm. Barker capture the title last Saturday night in Atlantic City, with a very gutsy performance to get a twelve round split decision over Daniel Geale of Australia. If and when the Golovkin fight is on the table, Hearn says there would need to be a lot of money involved. Golovkin faces Curtis Stevens on November 2 in New York.
"Darren Barker would fight Golovkin next, he's a fighter and that's what they do. For me, Golovkin is the most dangerous fighter in the division and therefore it has to be financially worthwhile and that involves a huge amount of money. But again, I can't see that fight happening next for Darren Barker. I think we'll take the Sturm fight - a huge fight in London - which is what [Barker] deserves. And then we'll sit down with Gary Shaw and HBO and plan for what's next," Hearn told krikya360.com.