How did Iran Barkley manage to beat Thomas Hearns twice?

Styles, baby. And lenient reffing the first time round. Some would have simply waved that one off.

 

Barkley's style was murder on Hearns'. He could cut, but otherwise was physically strong, good chin, always coming forward, heavy hands. And given that he was considerably bigger and longer than Hagler, Hearns didn't have the option of boxing him (like he did and should have with Hagler). Barkley just kept coming with absolute faith that his chin would hold and he'd get to him eventually.

 

A lot of people think I am crazy to say this, but I think Hearns in the rematch was on the verge of stopping Barkley, but that went 12 and that was the limit. Barkley won but that was not easy on him. He probably had one of his toughest fights.

 

I agree, though the shock at the time, both times, was that Hearns couldn't get by Barkley. The rematch was a surprise almost as much as the upset before it because Barkley had gone way back by 92. He was as slow as molasses, skills diminished, just a plodder. But he had that heavy presence in the ring, and the deep pressure and heavy hands were enough.

 

Barkley won, but Hearns who was way past it almost beat him on the inside, and many people missed that. Although I think Hearns felt he had to fight him on the inside, but I think he was getting to him. But that is boxing.. I think a 15 round fight Hearns gets a 13th round TKO. Both times he was close to stopping Barkley.. I am not a great fan of Barkley. What lacks with Barkley is something which backs up his Hearns wins.. Not just good fights against Duran and others, but wins against say Nunn or Benn. and he didn't get it. He lost his other big fights. Which shows me he had a good style for Hearns, but that was the story.

 

When was Hearns on the verge of stopping him in the rematch? I haven't seen it in a long long time.

 

Yup. Styles make fights. L
ook what Hearns did to him..

 

On a side note I got to spend a few min with Iran when they unveiled the Joe Frazier statue. I cant remember what height he was listed at but I'm 6.0 and he looked smaller than me. It was really sad and shocked quite frankly to see what these wars have done to him. When I remembered what a mean ass monster he was and now I really walked away sad and feeling bad for him. This profession really has you paying a permanent price which is why I get so angry when I hear other posters on here calling fighters cowards or bums it's just out of line.

 

Doesn't have to be Iran Barkley. There are plenty of jerks around here who spout this kind of garbage.

 

I did not single out Iran nor did I imply anyone called him that. Read it again. I said it angers me when posters here call fighters bums and or cowards. It's done just alot more so on general as expected. Please read carefully again.

 

And you're qualified to make that call, are you?

 

That's where we disagree. I dont believe anyone who made this sport there bread an butter is a coward or a bum.

 

Wow, you're pretty important after all I guess.

 

I was being sarcastic. I'm saying you have little insight into what any individual goes through inside that ring or what went into getting them there, and therefore have zero right to say much of anything about them one way or the other.

Now do you understand?

 

There's much you apparently don't understand. It's cool, whatever.