I think Barkley would out-work and overpower Watson, it would be like the rematch v Hearns with Watson trying to use the high guard that Tommy used v Iran and try to rope a dope like he did v Benn but it won`t work, Iran will stick his head on Watson`s chest and go to work smothering Watson, Iran wa much stronger than Watson who wouldn`t have Toney`s power to deal with Barkley on the ropes.
Watson beat a markedly inferior Benn to the one who slightly lucked out beating a rusty post surgical grief distracted Barkley on a 3 knock down rule. The Benn fight made Watson look like a master counterpuncher....but he was fighting a 1 dimensional unproven overrated benn in early 1989. That was just one performance. The remainder of his short career he transformed into a cruder offensively orientated pressure fighter and benn aside the only real win of substance in his short career was Don Lee. Barkley in the 1980s (and i assume this fight takes place in 1989 ) was still a boxer-puncher...he could box...1983 world amateur championship bronze medalist.... he pushed Michael Nunn quite close....showed skills vs duran....you dont beat kinchen & olajide or go 15 rounds with kalambay and not know a thing or 2 about boxing...barkley gets stereotyped due to the manner of the hearns wins...but no one ever outboxed tommy and barkley didnt bother trying to do what srl and benitez couldn't...he saw what hagler did...barkley looked crude as hell vs toney but in the 1980s he could box. Watson was nowhere as skilled a boxer as nunn,hearns or duran..and they couldnt keep iran off them totally. Kalambay did but watson again isnt that skilled or mobile. So with watson pressure fighting and iran ready to meet him there....this is,a gruelling fight that ends in watson on the floor for a 10 count in round 9 or 10 Even if watson tries to fight like he did against benn....well iran could apply hard pressure for 12 or 15 rounds...he wouldnt gas out and collapse to a jab after 6 rounds Either way a Barkley win. Tragically Watson had a short career its arguable like benn he may have improved significantly during 1992-1995 but its also arguable like eubank he had peaked by 1991 and hed never be the same. Watson suffered 3 gruelling losses including a points robbery...he may have deteriorated...i doubt it though...after the mccallum beating watson seemed to become a better fighter....take one uppercut out of the picture and one points robbery...and theres no doubt this kid wouldve been a,dominant wbo champ at super middle.
Good post and well said. I like to think that Watson would beat the Blade but if push came to shove, I may favour Barkley.
Thanks Fergie....as with all my points its just my opinion.....it may all be a load of cobblers! ....
It wasn't. It was a cracking post. Made me reconsider Barkley's credentials as a boxer. Also you were honest about Watson which, under the circumstances, is hard to do. But your evaluation took away the rose-tinted sympathy glasses and gave him due credit for what he achieved; no more, no less. I imagine that is exactly how Michael would want to be treated. Good on yer.
