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Assuming Barkley got the nod over Duran, and was now the conqueror of two legends (Hearns & Duran)....and SRL (improbable as it sounds) decided to forego a rematch with Hearns instead of a clash with Iran.........how do you see it going?

Fight would be at 160.

leonard at that time,before norris knocked sevens bells and the desire out of him still had the reflexes and skill to outbox barkley,id`e go for an unanimous decision

i'm not so sure leonard looked like crap in rematch with hearns

Barkley would have put an all out pressure on SRL similar to Hagler but with far far more intensity and anger.For sure SRL tastes the canvas in this one. But he would show his lion like heart and i beleive Rays handspeed and still intact reflexes at this time would ensure a 9th round stoppage between rounds

I don't think that the great Sugar Ray Leonard had the punch to put out a rough and tough guy like Iran Barkley. He might win by UD. But I think, my money, especially in 1989, would go for Barkley. Sugar Ray in '89 was washed up. When the great Roberto Duran beat Barkley, it was a miracle. That just happens once in a lifetime. A rematch with Barkley, and Duran would get stopped or lose a UD.

This one would've been real close. Leonard was way past his best, but I think he still may have had enough to eke out a close decision over Barkely in 1989. It would be close though, and I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up in a draw either.

SRL had looked like shit against Hearns in june 98. His hands were so slow and his footwork dead. His reflexes were slow.
He was aware of this criticism and than when he fought duran suddenly his hands were lightning quick again and his reflexes as sharp as a wire.
I still think adopting james toney like tactics, SRL whips Irans face to shreds and cuts him into a retirement around the 9th.

I probably dont think durans win over barkley was that much of a "miracle". Roberto had the style to negate barkleys best work, and even in 89 he still had an iron chin, some of the left hooks he took were incredible. I think duran would have done the same even better in a rematch

mugabi wrote:SRL had looked like shit against Hearns in june 98. His hands were so slow and his footwork dead. His reflexes were slow.
He was aware of this criticism and than when he fought duran suddenly his hands were lightning quick again and his reflexes as sharp as a wire.
I still think adopting james toney like tactics, SRL whips Irans face to shreds and cuts him into a retirement around the 9th.

I probably dont think durans win over barkley was that much of a "miracle". Roberto had the style to negate barkleys best work, and even in 89 he still had an iron chin, some of the left hooks he took were incredible. I think duran would have done the same even better in a rematch

yeah duran beats barkley everytime for me