Darren Barker eager to return to the ring

Middleweight fighter Darren Barker has said that he is eager to step back into the ring after almost a year-long absence.

The 30-year-old is in action again on September 8 when he takes on Simone Rotolo at London's Alexandra Palace.

"I'm anxious to get back in the ring and I'm really looking forward to it," he told The Sun.

"There's nothing worse than training and not having the end product of a fight. Everything's been perfect this time and all I can say is roll on September 8."

With his injury woes behind him, Barker now has his sights set on a middleweight title and sees the Rotolo fight as the first step in achieving his goal.

"The injuries are in the past now and it will be good to get a bit of momentum going and really push on," he added.

"I don't think I'll be content until I've got a world title because I know I've got it in me."

Barker's last contest was against Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City in October 2011.