Hearns vs Barkley 2

Barkley's fight plan was made effective by Hearns being over the hill. Heck, he was well past it even before the Leonard rematch. When he still had timing and snap Hearns bashed the crap out of Barkley (And this is a good version of Barkley) and no fight plan IMO was going to change that general course. Barkley to his credit was durable and determined and had many things needed to have his chance against Hearns.

Hearns was infinitely the better fighter but Barkley was trouble stylistically, as was a Roldan. Hearns was a lot more vulnerable at 160 against big strong brawlers like these. Hill suited Hearns at this late stage of his career stylistically. He was no pressure fighter and fought Hearns at a range where Tommy wanted to be.

Credit to Barkley for fighting a smart fight given the period they fought. But the Hearns from say the Andries fight would have stiffened him right up. Who would win i am not sure. I don't doubt Hearns would beat Barkley more often than not at Hearns best periods in the higher weights.

 

Yep.

I remember thinking that they were going to give the nod to Hearns, but it didn't happen. I guess they used the judges from that Young/Ali bout or filled the scorecards out before the fight began. I sure didn't see Hearns winning many rounds & actually didn't see him win very many 1 minute segments of a round. But these are the kinds of things that happen when you face the house fighter.

 

I've seldom been more disappointed at a result. I was dying for Barkley not to have a 2-0 over Tommy. I remember turning on the news and reading it the morning after- I was surprised and pissed off.

 

Both men went to the hospital after that fight. Hearns had a broken nose and bruised left hand and Barkley had 2 broken right ribs and could hardly walk and a cut on his head. Some people think that is the night Hearns took too much punishment and was diminished. I am not sure. But he never did fight well after that night, not with the same sharpness and speed. All I remember was at the end of the fight both men had swollen faces and blood was all over the trunks of both of them from Tommy's bleeding nose and Iran's bleeding scalp.

 

Not really.

 

I think Hearns was clearly a better fighter over Iran Barkley. The style where Iran delivers punching during exchanges was not good for Hearns. Bad style matchup. With Hagler, Hearns could have won had he been able to calm Marvin down a little.

 

Of course Hearns had better skills than Barkley ever had, but Barkley was just so much more tougher than Hearns........

Hearns had a great Jab and right cross, while Barkley merely had a great left-hook....

Barkley had Hearns' number.........

MR.BILL

 

I'm reviewing fight # 2 right now.... Both are up 15 pounds from the initial fight from '88... And both guys looks slower and more ring worn than ever........ BUT! That is what made this rematch a beauty..... A WAR!!! I was stoked for Barkley in 1992......

"The Barkman" had NO bidness other than $$$ to drop back to 168 in 1993 to fight Jim Toney on HBO...... Bark looked like a limp dick trying to pump ***** in that ring with a peaked Toney in 1993......

MR.BILL

 

Have not watched this for a while but i rememeber it being a brutal fight.

 

Bark's eyes were slits and Hearns' nose was smashed..... I love that brawl.........

MR.BILL