BoxRec

I watched this fight the other day, and scored it for the first time.


Rd 1 10-9 Duran
Rd 2 10-9 Duran (20-18 Duran)
Rd 3 10-9 Barkley (29-28 Duran)
Rd 4 10-9 Barkley (38-38)
Rd 5 10-9 Barkley (48-47 Barkley)
Rd 6 10-9 Barkley (58-56 Barkley)
Rd 7 10-9 Barkley (68-65 Barkley)
Rd 8 10-9 Barkley (78-74 Barkley)
Rd 9 10-9 Duran (87-84 Barkley)
Rd 10 10-9 Duran (96-94 Barkley)
Rd 11 10-8 Duran (104-104)
Rd 12 10-9 Duran (114-113 Duran)

Despite my total disdain for Duran, I had to admit I was impressed with his comeback in the last 4 rounds. Thru 8 Barkley looked like he had the fight, he was jabbing effectively and his bodyshots looked to be wearing Duran down. On my card to get a decision, Duran needed the last 4 with a 10-8 rd to take it, and that's just how I scored it.

I had this fight as a draw, although, the first time I scored it, like you, I had Duran winning it by a point.

It is an incredibly difficult fight to score, everyone sees it differently, however, I think Duran deserved the victory.

Duran got it. It was a great fight. Let's leave it at that.

I usually have Barkley winning, even though Duran is one of my two or three favorite fighters. I apologize that I don't remember my scores, but I believe that I tend to have him winning by a point. Either way, it was one of the best fights of the 80s and Duran was around 38 and was a former Lightweight. Barkley was a future Heavyweight, he was in his prime and he was fighting the most complete fight of his career. Duran showed in this fight for the 198th time why he was one of the best boxers of all time. Trying to go toe to toe with Duran, even at that age and weight class, was dangerous work.

I just re watched this fight the other day and I thought Barkley did enough to keep his title. It was close though. I believe if Barkley was a bigger name he would have got the decision.