Barker dethrones Geale for IBF middleweight belt

Atlantic City, NJ – Darren Barker became the new IBF middleweight champion on Saturday night, dethroning Daniel Geale via split decision at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City.

Barker (26-1, 16 KOs) fought back furiously after getting dropped with a body shot in the sixth round. He beat the count and both fighters traded shots down the stretch.

Geale (29-2, 15 KOs) clearly won the final round, but the judges filled scorecards in favor of Barker, who received winning scores of 114-113 and 116-111. Geale received one winning card of 114-113.

Earlier, former Euro champion Kiko Martinez (29-4 21 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten IBF junior featherweight champ Jhonatan "Momo" Romero with a sixth- round TKO.

Romero (23-1 12 KOs) was the recipient of many hurtful blows and the bout was waved off by the official at the 2:40 mark of the sixth round.