Here are two fighters where there couldn't be a greater contrast. Just one of the differences is the long unblemished record Mosley had compared to Barkely's far less glamorous record even by his first fight with Hearn's. But, Iran Barkley registered two wins that Mosley can't touch... Dual wins over ATG Tommy Hearn's. Barkley is also a four weight class champion, though the HW title was a throw away one to say the least. Regardless, 160, 168 and 175 titles... All off legitimate fighters. So, thoughts? Who has the more impressive body of work? Who's the greater fighter? More dangerous fighter?
I'm curious how much credit people give to a fighters best wins. I don't have a particular opinion here, but I'm curious to hear opinions regarding that.
Besides the two wins over Hearns (one well past prime where he went to hell finding it and the other when he looked shot despite a good showing vs Hill earlier) Iran really does not have much at all comparatively. Mosely is a three division titleist despite skipping 140. He made about 8 defenses of his 135 title let alone the others when Barkley couldn't defend once. Sorry but i can't even compare them. I'd look at others who had a big upset or two and did not much else to compare to Barkley. He was a good strong fighter but nothing great. I'd more compare him to the likes of a Buster Douglas.
I wouldn't even say that. You're comparing a multi division titleist with umpteen defenses who can still fight for and win world titles even now against a guy that couldn't defend once and was oft beaten. They don't belong on the same page. I'm not sure where i'd rank Mosley in the general scheme of things. I do rate him quite highly but no more than any unbiased fan i think. Stoney rates him even higher than i do i reckon (See other thread) and he's a pretty good judge.
I'll add i do think Shane might get a little shorthanded overall on this forum. That's the nature of the beast.
Mosley by a mile..but you seem to forget JT that Barkley was a multi weight champion himself and I think he would have had a few defences up on his ledger if he was fighting the Antonio Diaz's, John Brown's and Adrian Stone's of the world but alas he didnt get that luxury and fell short of the best of his era.
This is a rather lopsided comparison.. Mosley was several classes higher than Barkley in greatness... Not even close..
Yeah, my thoughts too more or less. Not trying to make some ridiculous, concrete assertion with this thread. Trying to spark some original discussion basically. :dead
Not so much forget as don't rate much but you are right. Mosely beat some good fighters in his 135 reign and beat Oscar to reign at 147 before turning the trick again higher up. Don't get me wrong, i admire Barkley for what he did with what he had. He was a real competitor even if limited a bit. I didn't mind watching his fights, he had some good scraps. Just a totally different class of fighter both in ability and resume. Good to see you active mate.
Mosley probably wouldn't have done that much better as a middle in Barkley's era-the likes of McCallum would have feasted on him and his HBO Jim Lampley sponsored all-time great status, but yeah he's still obviously the superior fighter here by clear distance. I think Barkley is more comparable to the likes of Cotto and Margarito etc...Iran could beat and lose to the solid yet vastly overhyped types of his era like Olajide, but not triumph against very many truly top fighters.