Ray Leonard Vs Iran Barkley at 168

Leonard

If an old Duran could beat prime Barkley at 160 I think Leonard could beat Barkley at 168.

He would move and box and not engage Barkley

Leonard UD

 

Old Duran beat Barkley but he copped his licks along the way - of course Leonard wouldn’t be looking to that type of fight and I don’t know that he could necessarily absorb what Duran did and still continue to be as viable as Roberto was.

So overall, I think Ray can win this but he has to work harder than Iran in so far as staying well away from harm that could end his night.

I think Iran could take more chances than what Ray could afford. A somewhat dangerous fight for Ray, just imo.

 

I don’t think it takes an elite fighter to beat Barkley, although as noted by everyone, he would be dangerous for Leonard. But I think Leonard was often at his best when the opponent posed a threat.

And keep in mind that the fight you neglected to mention in Leonard’s comeback era (I think he was elite above WW vs. Ayub Kalule while still in his prime btw) is a whitewashing of Duran … the same Duran who was coming off a win over Barkley. So while styles make fights and all that, it’s hard to make a case that Iran was a level above Ray at that time based on that common opponent.

Barkley was strong as an ox, could box a bit better than was given credit and packed a wallop, but Ray was laser-focused and adaptable. He has the edge in speed of hand and foot. I see him winning a decision.

 

I’m not saying this is the truth but Iran has said that Leonard told him on the phone he’d never get the call. I wouldn’t put money on this fight though I believe Leonard would win.

 

Leonard beat Hagler

 

Barkley is a punchbag for someone in Leonards class, even a way over the hill leonard.

 

I agree, it doesn't take an elite fighter to beat Barkley, but to beat him you had to be able to keep Iran off you and even moving great eventually you had to stand and deliver. All of his fights (except Benn) were this same pattern. MW Sugar wouldn't have done that for 12 rounds. He was getting hurt by Lalonde, he got hurt multiple times by Hearns, He was pressed by end stage Marvelous, Barkley IMO would've just mauled him to death. That's far more taxing over 12 than getting clipped and being able to recover. That's why he fought in those spurts and flashes of speed. He couldn't keep that up for 3 minutes anymore.

Sugar vs. Duran 3 can't really be compared to Duran/Barkley because Barkley came directly to Duran which is what Duran preferred and let Duran tee off on him, Sugar moved and moved.................and the fight was what it was. Duran had no target.

I don't think Barkley was a level above Sugar, I just think it's a bad style with him not being quite the same guy once he had the layoff and comeback.

 

I don’t disagree with your overall point of view on what it takes to beat Barkley but it’s not so easy to dismiss Ray — he might have fought in spurts, but he also planted and threw and did what it took to keep Marvin off him when he chose, same with Lalonde and to the greatest degree (even though I agree, as did Leonard, that he should have lost) with Hearns, whom he also battered at stages of that fight.

I think Ray could mix his lateral movement and boxing with his stand-and-deliver spots to keep Iran flummoxed enough to win a decision.

 

Agreed. He had zero chance against Lalonde at 175, he needed to weaken him to 168 to get in the ring with him... He has zero chance against Barkley at 168 .. when did SRL ever weigh 168 .. hell he was 160 against Hearns because that was a cw fight at 164 .. He doesn't take the fight against Barkley at 168 . He gets his head ripped off .. It's a lose lose fight for him anyway

 

If Barkley where a bit faster I would probably vote for him, as I see it Ray was just too quick & would win a decision

 

Lalonde was a great light heavyweight

 

and? and where was the fight at Lht hvy? .. No it was at 168 ,, dont know what the point is here amigo

 

Barkley

 

I remember Barkley pining for this fight but then it didn't happen.