Old Blade, Young Champ: When Barkley Faced The Schoolboy

After this and the Hearns rematch, Barkley never reached that top of the shelf again..

Still an amazing fighter tho, everyone shall love the blade.

 

This fight was horrific lol it was like watching a vicious Pitbull (Iran bares a certain likeness no?) mauling an untended toddler, I winced watching it.

 

Despite his looks Van Horn was no candy ass. He was pushed very hard by his father, had an excellent amateur career, turned pro at 16(!) and was very busy. But that sort of trajectory took its toll and he was experiencing bad headaches and finally failed a brain scan. He was lined up to fight Nigel Benn at one point. But he was not an untalented, incapable fighter by any stretch. Better career management and he could have stuck around longer and enjoyed more quality victories like the one he had over Lindell Holmes.

 

These guys who go pro as teens can’t all wind up Manuel Medina’s sticking around till ancient times in the rankings, boxing usually burns a man up fast a boy is no different.

 

Barkley ate the school boy for breakfast.

 

Who thought slugging with Barkley was a good plan ?. Maybe the same person who advised Norris to fight Taylor ???

 

Remember an interview with Van Horn where he says he moved up in weight and just didn't feel as comfortable with the bigger guys, and that Iran was much stronger than he was used to facing... Words to that effect.
Guy had a great career, but because of the likes of Barkley, Benn, Gman and the fact he rarely fought outside of the states he gets forgotten about.