IBF middleweight champion Darren Barker was recognised by the Boxing Writers' Club at a dinner in London last night, receiving a special award for his contribution to the sport.
Barker has enjoyed a year to remember after becoming world champion in Atlantic City two months ago, getting off the canvas to wrestle the IBF crown from Daniel Geale on points.
The 31-year-old was the recipient of the 2013 Joe Bromley Award at the Savoy Hotel last night, a prize handed out by the Boxing Writers' Club for outstanding services to boxing.
After picking up the trophy Barker used Twitter to dedicate the award to his family, tweeting: "Honoured and proud to have received the outstanding services to boxing award at the boxing writers dinner tonight. Dedicated to my family x."
Barker's attention will now turn to preparations for the first defence of his title, which comes against former champion Felix Sturm in Stuttgart on December 7.
Unbeaten middleweight Billy Joe Saunders was also picked out for special praise last night at the BWC's 62nd annual dinner, winning Young Boxer of the Year.
