Roberto Duran vs Iran Barkley

Makes you wonder what Duran could have done during the 80s if he had shown more discipline. Tremendous performance.

 

Incidentally, I once asked Leonard if he could have one name on his resume from the fighters during his era who would it be and he said Barkley. Surprised me.

 

It was a great performance from Duran and my favourite Duran fight. I loved the way he would throw a right hand and then slip the incoming counter right from Barkley.

 

:yep

 

This is my all time favourite fight.

The amount of punishment Duran took from Barkley landing those body shots was amazing, as was his defense, and of course that 5 punch combo to flatten Barkley in the 11th round was really a thing of beauty.

Barkley had every conceivable advantage a fighter could have with two exceptions, heart and experience, and Duran needed both in spades, especially in the 8th when Barkley landed two left hooks and spun Duran around like a top.

Both fought their hearts out in this unforgettable 1989 fight of the year classic.

 

Super performance from Duran and don't forget he was about 38 at the time.

Just bye and bye. There is a Classic section here for these types of threads.

 

Never hurts to educate the younger generation and make them realize boxing began long before Pac and Mayweather turned professional.


There's going to be a movie about his coming out sometime this year. I'm looking forward to it.

 

There is that :good

 

Monster shoots took Duran in that fight long life to "Manos de Piedra" and thanks for the memories.

 

Duran held his own against a much younger and bigger fighter.
One too has to wonder how seriously Barkley took him.
And i'm not sure politics didn't get involved in the decision.

 

You can pretty much say that about all close fights. But Barkley fought a hell of a fight, probably his best ever. I remember Clancy saying that as soon as fighter wins a belt he's a 25% better fighter. Might be a bit of an exaggeration but Barkley was executing the game plan to a T. Duran just refused to go down or go away. But that decision could have gone either way, on that I agree.

 

Close fight. No question about that. Barkley going down in the 11th wouldn't have helped his cause.