Just how good was Iran Barkley?

That was a fight where you’d say the winner won every second.

 

How many boxers have a nation named after him?

 

He was an exciting fighter in both victory and defeat . In addition to the Hearns fight he beat a handful of decent contenders too.

 

The fact that he beat Hearns twice is a big feather in his cap. He had a great fight against Duran though he fell short, and was robbed against Nigel Benn. Wins against Olijade, Kinchen and Van Horn were icing on the cake. He had several losses later but was fighting at heavyweight, all in all he was really good, I'd say near great.

 

That man had a ton of heart and plenty of guts.

With such lacking skills (defensively) he still won a world title.

He threw bombs.

 

I liked him but the truth is he was just a tough guy with a good punch who matched up well with a fading Tommy Hearns.

 

I think you're confusing Barkley's fight against Benn with another fight of Barkley's, since Benn blasted out Barkley in the 1st after getting hurt himself.

 

I was just telling my wife about Iran Barkley when the Super Bowl was playing and I mentioned that he was the uncle of Saquon Barkley. I was a big fan of "The Blade."

 

Any era would hold Iran Barkley, maybe not in high regard, up as a true fighter.

You could hit him with a cinderblock and he'd still be coming for you.

I loved his pure grit!

I remember watching him against Hearns, with Tommy just teeing off on him. I was amazed that he was still standing going through that fight with the punishment that Hearns was dishing out. Then bing...... and it's over.

 

Barkleys Excellent Cardio has to be praised.

In the rematch with Hearns , Barkley threw over 904 punches in total compared to Hearns 578 punches in a 12 round WAR.

 

Barkley has many similarities with Matt Franklin IMO. Its not so much in fighting styles but more so mentally. These guys were fighters to the core. They both grew up in very rough circumstances. Were both in gangs actually the top fighters for there respective gangs. They both had the mindset they could out brawl anybody. A fighters fighter. Doesn't get any more raw than that. Guys like them have my utmost respect. They dont say no to anyone because they feel they can beat you in a fight. Who is is like these two since Barkley retired im not sure. Gotti im guessing.

 

Good call, I remember thinking during that fight with Toney that Iran had really slipped. I totally agree with your assessment of Iran being 70 % of his best . The Barkley that Duran beat would give about anybody a fit at 160

 

I'll always remember his attitude. He was a warrior. In the Toney fight his face was getting busted up, eyes swelling, it was looking bad. Eddie Mustafa ask Iran if he could see. Barkley answered " I can see the fukin punk!"

 

When Toney was talking his usual gibberish promoting the fight Iran told him to cut it out or they could sort it out outside the ring, usually when I hear that I sort of roll my eyes “as if they’re going to give up millions for a little beef…” but Barkley was about it, that was his world one of few I’d believe that’d go for it and try to stomp you out for a press conference lol though Iran did bring a machete to intimidate Toney I forget where, it was promotional but Toney pulled a gun on him “I was gonna pop him, I don’t play that” a bit more on Iran… Charlie Murphy has a little bit about him on how he came to Eddies house after the Toney bout to to 16:20, but watch the few minutes back because it adds to the punchline.

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Iran reminded me a bit of Mike Weaver ... both came up hard without the management and breaks ... both had losses on the way up ... no one predicted they would win titles ... both started slow and could get caught when not warmed up right .. that said both were incredibly strong, super hard two handed puncher warriors ... Iran was a huge middleweight .. his wins over Mike O, Hearrns, Van Horn and others were impressive ... he was a very , very tough guy.