Betting tips / Alex Steedman / 27 September 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

England will once again suffer at the hands of Argentina, offers Alex Steedman, who can't find much reason for cheer ahead of Darren Barker's US debut against Sergio Martinez.

Red-blooded Englishmen of a certain age will recoil in discomfort at mention of 'The hand of God' - the day Maradona beat Peter Shilton to the punch. Barnet's Darren Barker will be looking to redress the balance by doing just that against Argentine World Champion Sergio Martinez this weekend.

Even allowing for fair play - sportsmanship is more or less guaranteed in this bout - Barker faces as tough a task as the sport can provided right now. The unbeaten Brit is moving beyond European level for the first time but against an elite fighter and his price ]15.5] reflects that.

Barker's last two EBU victories against sturdy but unspectacular opponents have been workmanlike and if the truth be told, nervy in patches. Martinez would be long odds-on to spark guys like Domenico Spada and Afiff Belghechem. But there is little doubt that injury, inactivity and motivation have been factors in recent Barker performances and I am certain he is much, much better than that. He will need to be.

Martinez (currently available to back at [1.05] and lay at [1.09]) is almost being hailed as the Maradona of boxing but as talented as he is, I think the praise has been a little over the top. His spectacular KO of the freakish Paul Williams last year was the deal clincher for pundits following on from a comfortable win over Kelly Pavlik seven months previously.

But everyone wanted to believe that Williams was the next big thing with his 'avoided man' tag bolstering the myth while the likeable Pavlik was exposed by Hopkins, who made 'The Ghost' look as one-dimensional as top fighters get.

March victim Sergey Dzinziruk was a solid but not stellar champion who I would have as not much more than 50-50 to beat Barker. Martinez is very, very good but I don't think he's one of the best we've ever seen as some commentators would have you believe.

All of this is simply observation on the context of the match as well as perspective on price but there is no question it will be a massive shock if Barker wins. In fact, I suspect this would be rated above John H Stracey beating Jose Napoles and Lloyd Honeyghan stopping Donald Curry, hence the prices.

Martinez is a natural athlete having been an excellent footballer and pro cyclist before belatedly turning to boxing. He is fast, is punching hard and brings southpaw craft as well as real variety to the table. He will be the most gifted and difficult to read fighter Barker has faced yet.

Having garnered glowing reports from spars with the likes of Mikkel Kessler, there is every belief that 'Dazzling' Darren Barker has the ability to shine on this stage and rise to the occasion but the truth is, Martinez has been the one wowing fans lately. His movement and fast hands are sure to give Barker trouble and he has stopped four of his seven opponents since moving up to championship level. I'm hoping though that Barker's natural ability will finally out and be enough for him to see it through to the end for a noble points defeat. Sorry patriots, but the score will probably read England 0 Argentina 2.

Steedo's Selection
1pt Back Martinez to win by Dec/TD/DQ