What are your favourite, obscure, Barkley fights? Obviously I've seen Hearns 1&2, Duran, Toney and Benn but nothing more, anyone got any Favourites which I haven't seen? Since this can be something special and specifically for The Blade, why not ask a few hypotheticals? Do you think he could've beaten Benn if the fight carried on? How would he have done in a war with Sosa? And how good would that fight have been.. Where does he fit in the all time entertainer's?
I was loved Barkley cuz he was a street fighter. One very underrated fight of his was early in his career with Robbie Sims. Round 1 was fought toe-to-toe, and five rounds later, both men still banging away. Awesome war. His fights with Mike Tinley, Jesus Castrenada, and Michael Olijade were all good. His fight with Coetzee was a good battle late in his career. I've never seen his fight with Berbick, but I imagine it would have to be a war.
Sanderline Williams fight was also a war. Not seen the James Kinchen fight but its probably on YouTube. He was the first guy to trouble the majestically talented Nunn, had him on the ropes a lot and running and even using the ropes as defense.
Wilford Scypion in fall 1985 broadcast on syndication. It was the first time I saw Barkley fight. The faded Scypion gave Barkley a tough fight until Iran dropped him with a right hand out of nowhere and the fight was stopped. I never in a million years would have predicted Barkley would ever win a world title after seeing that fight.
Loved watching Iran get stuck in there, a real hard man fighter. Came to my attention in the first Hit man Hearns fight, thought going on he stood very little chance. What ah upset! Then he beats him again.. Crazy! Even tho brief and him losing, enjoyed the Benn fight /round. Both guys going for it and being rocked. Don't make many like Iran Barkley. Ps The Duran fight. Amazing clash and fantastic to watch.
Robbie Simms has not been mentioned. nice war. Actually all of those espn bouts were back and forth affairs. I like the Maske bout but that was hardly Iran at his best--but that guy is a terrible match under any circumstances.
Really, any Barkley fight is going to be a war (except for Michael Nunn); he was not a fighter that would easily fall into a chess match. Most of his fights have all the knockdowns, cuts, great exchanges, and dirty fighting that constitute a great brawl.
The Olajide war was a great matchup..real contrast of personas. The Benn fight...we were deprived of a legendary battle...Iran had definetely weathered the storm and although he was taking brutal shots he had just hurt Benn and the 3rd knockdown was less heavy by memory than the 1st two.i wish there had been a rematch. Barkley had that streetfighting style about him...but he could really box too...1983 world amateur championships bronze medalist... Ij the Kalambay fight he boxed the whole way through the 15 rounds.....vs Hearns he tried to box for 2 rounds but was totally outboxed before goin 4 broke....thats really the point where that go for broke style started ro dominate his career..before in some fights he really boxed....with Duran he showed lots of skills boxing too...
And its easy to forget is that he was a very tall middleweight, sbout 6'. He didnt exactly fight tall.
