Boxing: Felix Sturm test up first for Darren Barker

Darren Barker will face Felix Sturm in his first defence of his IBF Middleweight title (GETTY IMAGES)

England's Darren Barker will make the first defence of his IBF middleweight title against Germany's Felix Sturm in Stuttgart on 7 December.

Barker, 31, won the title with a points victory over Australia's Daniel Geale in Atlantic City in August after three-time world champion Sturm, 34, lost the title to Geale last September.

Barker's promoter Eddie Hearn said there was an option for an immediate rematch in London if his fighter loses. "We are all confident that Darren will defend his title in style," Hearn said.