let's remember Roberto Duran vs. Iran Barkley

the fight of the year 1989, which often gets forgotten somehow when there's talk about classic fights.

I've recently rewatched it, and man, I can only be in awe before Durans performance. They say every great fighter has one last good fight in him, and well, this has to be Durans last great fight (even tho he did well against Vinny Pazienza in their 1st fight too).

I think it's just amazing that a former lightweight champ, who is far past his prime at that, can step up against a big, strong, muscular MW and hold his own. Duran already did it against Marvin Hagler, but that was 6 years before.

Now I know that Iran Barkley isn't exactly the best MW champ in history.. I still feel he gets somewhat underrated, and on that particular night he showed very good boxing skills against Duran. Barkley was on his peak when he faced Duran, and he became champ at SMW and LHW AFTER his defeat to Duran. Barkley was more of a natural LHW than a MW anyway, and he looked like a LHW too. He was really big for a MW. On fight night he weighed at least 170lbs, while I don't think Duran weighed much more than the 156lbs he weighed in at.

Durans plan was to make the bigger man miss and then counter him, something he did, but when he saw that this wouldn't be enough (as he was getting outjabbed by Barkley), he just went toe to toe with Barkley and fought a war of attrition with the much bigger and younger man. Duran then displayed fantastic ring smarts and toughness, just like he did against Marvin Hagler. Barkley went to Durans body and had success with it, and by the middle rounds the 37year old Duran was dead tired. Barkley then hurt him badly in the 7th but wasn't able to finish the man from Panama. Duran hung in there, got his second wind and knocked Barkley down in the 11th. Barkley hardly made it to his feet. Unfortunately Duran didn't have enough left to finish Barkley then.

Of course it was a very close fight with a somewhat disputed decision, but imo Duran deserved the nod. The KD in round 11 sealed the deal in my book. Looking at Barkleys face after the fight, it was all puffy and swollen, that tells you something too.

Any comments?

 

ok, thanks

 

ok then, forget about this thread..

I think I'll make another one. What about 'SRL - Hagler, how did you score it?'