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FORT MYERS — Freeman Barr had to wait two years for Saturday night's bout, back in the ring after battling through an illness that knocked his career off course.

He had to wait far less time to register his next victory. Thirteen seconds into the third round of the light heavyweight match, Barr exploded on Buddy Acker with one more viscous combination — there were many — sending his opponent into the ropes and, ultimately, to the mat.

And that was it. As Acker's corner threw a towel into the ring, Barr delivered the Harborside Event Center crowd exactly what it wanted to find.

Hope.

Hope that the Naples resident, who hadn't fought since April 2004, could make his way back to the top, where he seemed destined to go before sarcoidosis — a disease that attacks the skin, liver, lungs and lymph nodes — put him on the mat.

He is up now, shooting to recapture his contender status. That was learned in "Brawl at the River II; Return to Glory," where Barr (27-4-0) dominated his opponent from the opening bell, keeping Acker (19-10-2) confused throughout.

Acker, an Alabama brawler, spent much of the bout crouching and creeping, looking to somehow land a home run that would offset Barr's dominance. But he hardly had a chance as Barr, who looked fit, treated Acker's head as if it were a punching bag.

Acker surely felt the impact. He turned and walked to a neutral corner after the first and second rounds, so dazzled by Barr's combinations that he must not have known which coast he was on. He didn't make it another round.