Leonard vs Barkley 89.

How would this play out? I think Leonard would have to give is all just to keep Iran off him, Barkley would eventually overwhelm him and Leonard is pulled out by his corner late on.

 

I suspect Leonard would be in great danger against Barkley in 1989. Leonard was knocked down by Lalonde and twice by Hearns. And Barkley was more of a brute than both, kind of relentless.
Barkley put the fear into Nunn, who was much bigger than Leonard, and slicker at this time.

On the other hand, old Duran beat Barkley (only just) and actually knocked him down too, so who knows, maybe Leonard could have exploited some weakness in Barkley.

 

Had Barkley beaten Duran in early 1989 this might have been a possible match up, but I doubt Ray would take such a high risk fight against someone of Barkley's name and for a smaller purse. That said, I think Leonard was still capable of outboxing him to a points win. He was still quicker and leagues more skilled than Iran.. He might kissed the canvas once in the process but would still prevail even at that stage. A year earlier he rose of the floor to hammer a powerful light heavy in Lalonde.

 

I think Barkley would have walked right into Ray and roughhoused him into a brutal KO.

Barkley was not going to be stopped at that weight by a boxer, He proved he could stand with Hearns, whom was a better boxer and a harder hitter than Ray.

Ray was smart not to fight him.

 

I take it you never watched the Michael Nunn fight?

 

Agreed.

 

Barkley looked great against Duran in '89 in part because Duran stood right in front of him. Duran himself looked great against Barkley but was useless against Leonard in their 3rd fight.
Styles and all that.
Barkley isn't just walking up to Ray and ripping him apart; that's absurd. Leonard is far too good for that and besides, how often do you really see that happen in boxing?
I think Leonard will do what he did against Duran and turn it into a foot race. Barkley won't be able to deal with that.
Leonard most likely picks him apart for a boring decision win.

 

My thoughts exactly. Leonard was still difficult to hit flush even in 1989 and his chin still held out against brutal shots from Duran, Hearns and Lalonde. He beat two of those guys while giving a good effort against third ( I thought he lost to Hearns. )

 

Great points. I could definitely see that outcome too.

 

Barkley seems too big and tall for an old Leonard to dance around and run from.

 

At this point,Barkley outworks Leonard on the way to a decision.

 

I also thought he lost to Hearns in their 2nd fight. Leonard tried to bomb him out instead of boxing Tommy.