Hello all,

I’ve just come back from Sheffield after spending another few days training with the Great Britain Olympic Boxing Squad. I’ve really been impressed with the guys I’ve met and even got into the ring to spar with one of them – Welshman Fred Evans.

Even though I’ve got my World Title fight coming up against Sergio Martinez on October 1, I’m a bit envious of the lads who’ll be fighting for Britain at next year’s London Olympics – the buzz they are getting from the thought of representing their country at such a big event is amazing and it’s still about a year away!

I also had a few rounds sparring with Carl Froch who is now under the guidance of Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. Signing for them has been one of the best decisions I have made in my career. Everyone they have got working for them is different class and I have total 100 per cent confidence in the way they are handling things for me.

As you know, Carl is a top fighter and, even though I’ve sparred with him before, I’m still grateful to him for the help he’s given me to prepare for my fight against Martinez. Carl is the current WBC Super Middleweight World Champion and, on October 29, he’ll be fighting Andre Ward who is the holder of the WBA version of the crown in a bout that will see the unification of the title.

Like me, Carl is fighting in Atlantic City and there’s no doubt that I’ll be cheering him on and, in my opinion, I think he’s got what it takes to bring both belts back to England.

The couple of weeks I’ve spent in Sheffield are just a taste of what’s to come as far as missing my family is concerned. I’m looking forward to my training camp in Canada for the final build-up to my fight against Martinez but, if the last few days are anything to go by, I’ll be missing my girlfriend Gem, our daughter Scarlett Rose, my mum Jacquie, my dad Terry and sister Daisy like mad. Thankfully though, I’ll be with my brother Lee who’s coming out to Canada with me.

It will be tough but, as I said the last time I wrote my blog, when I come back to England with the World Title, it will all have been worth it.

I’ve got another week at my gym in Essex with Tony Sims, my mentor and trainer and then it’s a flight across the Atlantic next Friday. I’m feeling fitter and stronger than I have for a long time with Tony helping me get into peak condition and keeping me focused on the job ahead.

I’ll probably have a day off though when I get to Canada to adjust to the time difference and then it will be non-stop total concentration on my fitness, my boxing and my strategy for beating Martinez.

Don’t worry though – I’ll be keep you all updated with regular blogs from across the Atlantic and, if you’re on Twitter, you can follow me at @darrenbarker82.

See you all soon!