Iran Barkley v Roberto Duran Scorecards

Great fight. Close fight.

Duran pulled this win out of the bag in the last third and I scored it 115-113.

If it weren't for the KD... ... ...

 

This is going to be the next classic fight I watch- and score. I think I had it to RD by one round back in the day, but always thought it was thisclose. Still, Guiseppe Ferrari's card of 118-112 has to be one of the worst of the decade...he's also the 'buffone' that only gave Rocky Lockridge just one round vs JC Chavez too.

 

This was my scorecard and write up of the fight last year.

Roberto Duran vs Iran Barkley

1 Duran
2 Barkley
3 Duran
4 Duran
5 Barkley
6 Barkley
7 Barkley
8 Barkley
9 Duran
10 Duran
11 Duran 10-8 knockdown
12 Duran

115-112 Duran

What's overlooked about this fight is that this was arguably one of Iran Barkley's best performances, he actually showed underrated skills in this fight. But Duran was just too clever and crafty for Barkley, it don't seem possible that Duran could come on late in this fight. With the amount of body punishment he took from Barkley but somehow he did.

Quite a few of the early rounds were close, Barkley would outwork Duran in alot of the early rounds with some nice body punching, jabbing, and occasional left hooks. But you have to watch closely Duran was actually rolling with alot of Barkley's punches. And when Duran would counter punch with the right hand, it was landing flush right on the button and it would often wobble Barkley anytime he landed it.

And that's why i gave Duran a few of the close early rounds, despite Barkley having a higher workrate. And it's evident after the fight that Duran is virtually unmarked, where as Barkley is bruised and swollen which further proves my point, about Duran's defence and more effective punches.

Despite me saying that Barkley still did have a lead early on, i had him 5-3 up after 8 rounds it possibly could of been 6-2, but the last 4 rounds unlike some of the early rounds were simple to score. As Barkley started to wear down and Duran got stronger and stronger, and in the end Duran pulled it out clearly with the knockdown, to win a competitive but clear win on my card.

Overall a great fight i'm sure you don't need me to tell you that, there was some fantastic inside fighting aswell as fine skills on display. But Duran clearly won by landing the more effective punches, and having the much better defence.