Former world title challenger Darren Barker makes his long-awaited return from injury tonight in a domestic dust-up at the London Olympia.
Barker has been out for 14 months with a succession of painful injury setbacks but will get no sympathy from Kerry Hope in a meeting of former European champions.
Hope has fought five times in the last 13 months and will look to push the pace and put the Barnet man under pressure.
The Welshman is a heavy underdog in a bout which will provide Barker with a stern, relentless test.
Barker has mixed in the division's upper echelon and held his own for large spells against middleweight king Sergio Martinez last October.
Ultimately the Londoner is aiming to push towards a world-title shot in 2013 but there are no shortcuts to that chance and he must take Hope seriously.
Look for Hope to try to force his way inside in the early stages and use his southpaw stance to make life difficult for the favourite.
Barker may take his time but should start to pick his opponent off when his rhythm returns and claim a morale-boosting win.
Sports Mole says Barker is made to work hard in the early stages by a game Hope before proving too strong through the middle rounds to claim a convincing points victory.
Liam Power
