Macklin welcomes rivalry

Macklin: best shape of his career

I'm glad Barker is around and is boxing well. It's good for both of us.

Matthew Macklin
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Matthew Macklin is hoping to establish a British middleweight rivalry with Darren Barker.

The pair will meet for Barker's British, Commonwealth and European titles at Birmingham's LG Arena on September 18 in one of the most eagerly-awaited domestic showdowns of the year.

Twenty years ago Chris Eubank defeated Nigel Benn at the same venue in the first of their two fights, and Macklin believes another Great British feud may be brewing.

"You need rivalries. Look at Joe Calzaghe - his career suffered for so long because he didn't have a rival," he said.

"He never got the credit he deserved whereas Benn, Eubank and Watson were lucky because they had each other.

"I'm glad Barker is around and is boxing well. It's good for both of us. He's undefeated and has looked good in his fights. I've bounced back from my defeat by Jamie Moore and am in the shape of my career.

"I've won the British and European titles with good knockouts but have had to vacate both because of certain circumstances.

"He's then gone on and won them, so he's tailing me all the time. I'm top five in the world. He wants to be there and I want my belts back.

"He hasn't put a foot wrong but has always been in my shadow. He'll always be one step behind."

Macklin will head to Los Angeles at the end of the month to begin a six-week training camp at the Wildcard gym run by famed coach Freddie Roach, who will also be in his corner on September 18.

Number one

Barker, undefeated in 22 outings, insists the importance of the contest stretches beyond the belts at stake.

"I've got the titles but there's something that's missing and that's number one status," said the 28-year-old from Barnet.

"I want to be number one in the country. There's no point having the titles but not being number one.

"I believe I'm number one but I need to prove it."