Iran Barkley Article in Times - planning comeback

[E]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 093966.ece

Haven't had time to read it.....but looks very sad.

He really looks beaten up and fat - I thought he was blind in one eye?

[bennie]

"The Blade" is blind in the left eye. After Barkley's second win over Hearns, Bob Arum told the assembled press he had set up a trust fund for Barkley. "We won't let him piss it away this time, " said Arum, to applaud from journalists.
I don't know who is worse, Barkley or Arum.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GLGE62M6p ... re=related

[TerribleTerry]

I remember The Blade being referred to as looking more like a butter knife, some 10 years or more ago..

He was boxing as a sad, bloated heavyweight the best part of 15 years ago - God only knows what sort of condition he is in these days.

[stujones]

I've heard reports that he has all sorts of health problems, sure signs of dimentia. However, I heard him on ESPN Friday Fight Night last year and he actually sounded okay. He did call out Hearns.

[E]

I read the article now. It could've done with being two pages longer - but highlighted the sadness of the deluded past it fighter who just can't imagine doing anything else.

In the paper there was a juxtaposed article about Joe Calzaghe and the comparison was inescapable.

A bloated, fat, half blind, broke, dog ugly, ex-top fighter against a good looking, bright and realistic fighter with money and a future out of boxing.

What future does Iran have?

[bennie]

In his prime Barkley was a horrible guy to fight, liable to uncork a knockout shot when an opponent least expected it. People talk about his 1988 win over Hearns as a fluke - but he licked Hearns again, and nearly knocked out Duran. How Duran stayed on his feet I will never know. I can still remember Duran's reaction when Barkley came over to shake his hand at the end.
"Oh man!" said Roberto.

[Old bones Ian]

Its a shame , but it was his decision to spend $3 million , wether he got bad advice or not, after you lose the first million shouldn't alarm bells start ringing.

Life is harsh i know, and i wish Iran the best for the future, but sometimes people have to take responsibilty for their own actions.

[E]

His hands look oddly small.

His fight with Duran is one of my favourites ever.

I remember how he bombed Hearns out after being given a hiding early. What a punch.

He also bashed up the highly regarded jeri-curled Michael Olajide who was never the same.

[Old bones Ian]

Just looking at Barkleys record, i never knew he beat Gerrie Coetzee!!
i thought it must of been another boxer with the same name as the ex WBA champ, but no.

[DavidPayne]

I do know Bobby Gunn is involved in attempts to generate some funds for Barkley.

Barkley was an awesome fighter. Which shows how tough Benn was too, if anyone needed reminding.

Calzaghe v Barkley would have been fun wouldn't it. Prime for prime.

[Mensa07]

read this yesterday, 'tis sad he seems to have convinced himself he can still be a prizefighter. I'll reserve my sympathy for people who have nothing however, not those who p*ss $5mill up the wall on expensive cars and partying.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Got to say, Iran is his own worst enemy, he wants to recapture the big paydays of his youth, and is totally divorced from reality. If he doesn't want a regular job, then tough shit, screw him. If he cannot be bothered to help himself, then why should anyone else.

It's a sad story, but I fear that Iran is the architect of his own demise. Mike Tyson looks like a happy ever after story by comparison.

[Wales]

Your well happy as an amateur arriving at an unlicenced bout only for your opponent to be announced as Iran barkely! 47 or not i'd still drop my arse.

[DavidPayne]

A Nightingale sang.....

[Old bones Ian]

Former pro Winston Wray is in a bad state as well.
recent arrest shows it.

A FORMER professional boxer who became hooked on drugs when his career ended has avoided a jail term after offering to sell cocaine to undercover police.
Winston Wray, 48, once made £10,000 per fight, but was forced to retire in 1994 after a head injury.

The father-of-three from Potters Bar turned to class A drugs and has been in and out of jail since, Southwark Crown Court heard yesterday (Thursday).
On June 7 this year Wray was arrested on the streets of Soho after offering to supply officers with powdered Beechams tablets.

Judge Anthony Pitts passed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, saying: "Sending you back to prison is not a constructive way to deal with this matter."
He ordered Wray comply with a drugs rehabilitation requirement for 12 months and attend an offenders' substance abuse programme.

[Wales]

So not only a drug dealer but one that rips peoiple off too...

[bennie]

Former pro Winston Wray is in a bad state as well.
recent arrest shows it.

A FORMER professional boxer who became hooked on drugs when his career ended has avoided a jail term after offering to sell cocaine to undercover police.
Winston Wray, 48, once made £10,000 per fight, but was forced to retire in 1994 after a head injury.

The father-of-three from Potters Bar turned to class A drugs and has been in and out of jail since, Southwark Crown Court heard yesterday (Thursday).
On June 7 this year Wray was arrested on the streets of Soho after offering to supply officers with powdered Beechams tablets.

Judge Anthony Pitts passed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, saying: "Sending you back to prison is not a constructive way to deal with this matter."
He ordered Wray comply with a drugs rehabilitation requirement for 12 months and attend an offenders' substance abuse programme.

I watched Wray fight Gary Stretch at York Hall in 1987. He lost on cuts, I seem to recall. He never looked particularly healthy - and dropped from light-heavyweight in the amateurs to light-middleweight in the pros - but could whack a bit.
My overriding memory of the night is Stretch appearing later in the evening chased by a possee of exceptionally beautiful women. I never liked Stretch.

[E]

Former pro Winston Wray is in a bad state as well.
recent arrest shows it.

A FORMER professional boxer who became hooked on drugs when his career ended has avoided a jail term after offering to sell cocaine to undercover police.
Winston Wray, 48, once made £10,000 per fight, but was forced to retire in 1994 after a head injury.

The father-of-three from Potters Bar turned to class A drugs and has been in and out of jail since, Southwark Crown Court heard yesterday (Thursday).
On June 7 this year Wray was arrested on the streets of Soho after offering to supply officers with powdered Beechams tablets.

Judge Anthony Pitts passed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, saying: "Sending you back to prison is not a constructive way to deal with this matter."
He ordered Wray comply with a drugs rehabilitation requirement for 12 months and attend an offenders' substance abuse programme.

Damn..... I know Winston. I used to see him in Soho and chat....he said Darren Dyer was the hardest puncher. He also sparred Honeyghan and I think Kirkland Laing a lot.

He is a really friendly guy, very amiable and likeable. Still perfectly lucid despite his problems. I wish him the very best.

[bennie]

I do know Bobby Gunn is involved in attempts to generate some funds for Barkley.

Barkley was an awesome fighter. Which shows how tough Benn was too, if anyone needed reminding.

Calzaghe v Barkley would have been fun wouldn't it. Prime for prime.

Barkley was dead at the weight against Benn, as dry as a bone, but it took a man of Benn's calibre to expose that.

[hitman_hatton1]

I never liked Stretch.

least he got his payback in dead man's shoes right bennie. :)