Iran Barkley - how good was he

[davie]

9 world title fights, more losses than wins at title level, but surely one of the most impressive list of names to have on your CV

Hearns x 2, Duran, Nunn, benn, Toney, Kalambay, Berbick, Maske, even a WBB heavyweight "title" against Coetze

Quite a list of opponents and no one can criticise losing to some of those, but how good was Barkley

[Flump]

Dangerous heavy handed battler, tough fight for anyone but also prone to facial injuries and pretty slow. He seemed finished post Benn but rebounded with a shaved head and an intimidating scowl to have a good run at Super Middle.

Will always be remembered for his wins over Hearns, too bad he couldn't walk away after the Maske fight at the latest. I always enjoyed watching him fight, I wouldn't say he was a great by any means but a tough guy and a world class fighter for 6/7 years.

[palooka]

The James Toney bout was difficult viewing, Iran was chewed up and ruined in that bout.

[Scypion]

I thought that he was very good, a tough guy.

[BoxBuzz]

Hey Davie, How would Barkley fare against Conteh at LH?

I hope I don't get excommunicated for asking. lol

[yancey]

I thought that he was very good, a tough guy.

Agree.

Barkley fit my concept of a real warrior. Hope he is doing okay nowadays.

[davie]

Hey Davie, How would Barkley fare against Conteh at LH?

I hope I don't get excommunicated for asking. lol

I don't think you'll get excommunicated mate.

But I did just start a thread asking how good Barkley was (which would indicate that my knowledge of him is fairly limited, I've only seen a couple of his fights)

And I also just confessed on the other thread that I haven't seen a huge amount of Conteh and was basing much of my opinion on records

So I'm maybe not the best guy to ask

[misterpunch]

too slow for conteh - john would finish him with his speed and power..but the tough barkley would hold up for a good few rounds

[JMac]

I thought that he was very good, a tough guy.

Agree.

Barkley fit my concept of a real warrior. Hope he is doing okay nowadays.

I saw him at a NYPD vs FDNY amateur show at Madison Square Garden back in November. He looked Ok but I think his brain is a bit punchy now.

[Noxy]

I'll never forget that first Hearns fight. I don't anyone else who saw it will forget it either. He was a tough opponent for anyone in his day.

[Neil Gee]

He had Hearn's number for some reason, one of those great imponderables of boxing; Hearn's was looking good for the three rounds before he was knocked out but never looked good after that (ie in the rematch).

[Broomhall]

Barkley was a good, entertaining fighter who was brave and always came to fight. He deserves a lot of respect for his career, one of the major players of his time.

[bennie]

Dangerous and surprisingly cute. He was capable of uncorking a big shot when hurt.

[Controversial]

surprisingly cute.

Ooeer.

[doug.ie]

I thought that he was very good, a tough guy.

the ko over your namkesake wilford scypion....which hasnt appeared on youtube to my knowledge...was a wicked looking one

[Ambling Alp II]

He had Hearn's number for some reason, one of those great imponderables of boxing; Hearn's was looking good for the three rounds before he was knocked out but never looked good after that (ie in the rematch).

That happens once in awhile; Jenkins beat Ambers twice as well. Zivic beat Armstrong twice; though Armstrong won the third time.
(I'm crossing my fingers that someone does not bring up up the "styles makes fights cliche).

Always thought this was more of a fluke than anything. Hearns easily could have won either fight. If they fought a third time, Hearns very well may have won.

That being said, you have to give Barkley credit for going up against the best. He did not always come out on top, but at least he was willing to take on anyone.

[littlepug]

He would of given todays crop of middles fits most wouldn't have made it past the weigh -in !

[montrealsuper]

Gil Clancy paid Iran the greatest compliment: "I never saw a fighter achieve so much with so little as Iran Barkley."

Should be a hall of famer for beating Hearns twice. Nice guy too.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

Barkley beat HOF Tommy Hearns twice even Sugar Ray Leonard couldn't achieve this feat...

[Mimmy]

Just watching him fight Robert Folley, his first fight after Hearns. Not sure why its not a title fight however after knocking out Hearns, but what are your thoughts on this guy?

[littlepug]

Had a good career champ in 3 weights and twice beat a future hall of famer, some will confuse his style with being of limited skills but the truth is he was a decent boxer just not as pleasing to the eye as others

[palooka]

I agree with littlepug, he could jab his way in, slip and counter - he was a good amateur, I'm sure he boxed for the US team internationaly. His first bout v Hearns was an example in courage and stubbornness; the bout v Toney was difficult viewing, he was countered to ribbons. Its an awful shame that he didn't retire financially secure, he earned every dollar he made the hard way.

[Syntax Error]

Topsy turvy career.

Very slow, but courageous to the end.

I still amazed to this day that he managed to outpoint Tommy Hearns in 1992.

Hearns wasn't at his best then, but as he proved the year before against Virgil Hill, he was still world class.

He seemed to be the one guy that truly had Hearns' number.

[Caractacus]

His chicken Moo goo gai pan is utterly amazing .

[Bricks]

Dangerous heavy handed battler, tough fight for anyone but also prone to facial injuries and pretty slow. He seemed finished post Benn but rebounded with a shaved head and an intimidating scowl to have a good run at Super Middle.

Will always be remembered for his wins over Hearns, too bad he couldn't walk away after the Maske fight at the latest. I always enjoyed watching him fight, I wouldn't say he was a great by any means but a tough guy and a world class fighter for 6/7 years.

He wasnt slow pre 1990.he had a fast punching but wild style.undderated boxing skills he could move well but he preferred to brawl after 88.

Overall good chin,tough,decent speed,good power but a poor boxing brain in and out of the ring and that cost him victory v duran.he could have handled the Benn of 1990 but was coming off retina surgety and long layoff but his managers chose to fight a fast starting wild puncher like benn with no tune up than it gets stopped when iran wasnt done. Overall his career was a good one