BARNET boxer ‘Dazzling’ Darren Barker has been praised by a judge for coming to the rescue of a man attacked in a street brawl.

The 28-year-old European and British and Commonwealth champion, unbeaten in 22 bouts, was left out for the count when he was set upon by a gang of thugs following an England World Cup football match, last summer.

The 2002 Commonwealth gold medallist needed treatment for cuts and bruises and more than £1,000 of dental work following the attack in Watford High Street.

The judge called Darren "a brave man who acted when many others would not have done" and commended his actions, awarding him £250 for his public-spirited behavour.

Darren had been watching the England v Slovenia Group C clash on Wednesday, June 23.

Maurice Aston, prosecuting, told St Albans Crown Court how Dareen had gone out with friends to get some food following England's 1 - 0 win.

He told the court: “They got their food and were eating it on a bench, when some trouble started behind them, with two men picking on a third.

“Mr Barker, feeling confident as a professional boxer intervened and told them to stop it.

“All this did was make him a target.”

The court heard how the thugs knocked Darren to the floor and kicked him in the head, before fleeing leaving him unconscious.

Mr Aston said: “It is a case of gratuitous violence on the streets."

Judge John Plumstead said Darren, who was not in court, would receive a commendation and £250 as a “token” sum for his public-spirited actions.

The judge said: “Mr Barker’s evening was ruined and he has been left with permanent dental problems because he tried to stop some trouble.

“He is a brave man. He behaved in a way most of us are not brave enough to do and suffered as a result.”

Three men involved in the incident pleaded guilty to affray, but denied playing any part in the assault.

Jake Simmons, 20, and Iain Hughes, 22, both from Watford, were given three-month curfews Friday to Saturday from 9pm to 4am.

Lloyd Osborne, 25, also from Watford, has previous convictions, and was given a 12-month community order, as well as the curfew.

All three were ordered to pay the boxer £500 compensation and have been banned from Watford town centre for three months from 10pm every night.