British middleweight Darren Barker has insisted that he is respecting the credentials of IBF champion Daniel Geale ahead of their fight on Saturday night.

Barker will face the Australian in Atlantic City, and despite the Barnet-based boxer stating that he will win the bout, he has denied suggestions that he is underestimating Geale.

The 31-year-old told Sky Sports News: "Someone asked me a couple of weeks ago, I think it was an Australian journalist, about us beating the Aussies a couple of times in the rugby and doing well in the cricket and I said that I'm definitely beating Daniel Geale.

"He's a good fighter, as I've said a number of times. A lot of people think I'm underestimating him but they don't hand out genuine world titles for nothing."

Barker previously challenged for a world title in 2011, suffering an 11th-round defeat to Sergio Martinez.