BREAKING NEWS

Darren Barker a former middleweight title holder has announced his retirement today.  Barker is only 31 years old but decided to retire after a chronic hip injury resurfaced.  He amassed a career record of 26-2 with 16 knockouts and had many memorable moments in the ring.  Perhaps none were bigger than his 2013 victory over then middleweight title holder Daniel Geale.  Barker got off the deck in the 6th round after a brutal body shot and boxed his way to a win.  That round was selected as Big Time Boxing's 2013 Round of the Year and the entire bout earned "in the running" status for Fight of the Year.  Barker also gave Sergio Martinez all he could handle before being stopped in the 11th round at a time when it seemed that Martinez was untouchable.  His last bout was a TKO loss to Felix Sturm and his hip problems were very prevalent.  Leading up to the fight Barker was unable to do any running because of his hip and it became clear that it was time to hang up his gloves.