BoxRec

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?

"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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Nightingale sang.....

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.

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

Old bones Ian wrote: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.

Old bones Ian wrote: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.

DavidPayne wrote: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.

bennie wrote:I never liked Stretch.

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