Roberto Duran vs Iran Barkley

How about the fact that the man was 39 years old ..

 

I basically feel that Iran Barkley was moreless a flash in the pan who had Hearns' number. Despite being bigger and stronger, Iran was relatively slow and easy to hit. But so was Duran at this weight, and nothing but my praise goes to him for this performance, given how Iran had so dominated Hearns, who ruled Roberto. Duran basically had nothing to prove after this, yet he still basically beat Camacho years later (though not on the cards). Being a born fighter, I wonder how Duran deals with the fact that he can't fight nowadays.

 

Yeah, the man fought for so long, he was really born to be a champion, he had it in his blood.. Natural born fighter with such good skills, even Arcel who was in the corner of the great Benny Leonard said that he had little to teach him..

 

I popped a boner when Barkley hit the floor in round 11......... I too, agree that Barkley was NOT a great champion at any weight between 160 thru 175 pounds, but he was strong and powerful... In my book, Barkley belongs in the H.O.F. without a doubt..... Christ, he beat Hearns 2 X...

Roberto Duran was age 37 and 157 pretty hard pounds of fire back in Feb. of 1989.... Like it or not, this was Duran's last true miracle in the ring.... The fight was close.... However, Barkley was favored to KO Duran..... Well, that didn't happen............ Peace...

MR.BILL:bbb

 

It was a good win and revived his career so he could fight Ray in a rubber match. The timing was good.

 

You're quickly becoming the Hindsight King. Tell us the last time a natural lightweight defeated a natural middleweight champion.

 

At the time I certainly don't think Barkley was a top5 MW with the likes of Nunn, McCallum, KAlambay, Herol Graham, Benn, Watson, Eubanks

However it was still a very good win, a nice title and I rank Duran over Henry Armstrong with his titles from LW-MW, great FW win over a FW champ and better wins and sublime skillset

 

Do we need this visual? I know I don't.

 

I feel that way, although with knockdown it was close (and I have to admit I did not bother to score rounds, so it is only my general feeling). Still, it was great fight from Duran.

 

"I think he may know more about boxing than I do!" - Ray Arcel after watching Duran defeat Barkley.

My personal opinion is that Iran is indeed an HOFer. The first clubfighter to become a triple crown champion, he did it at a time when that was still a novelty.

Somewhat overlooked in the "miracle" Duran pulled off was the superb quality of Barkley's performance, adding lustre to the outcome. It was one of Iran's best performances. (Remember Duran repeatedly congratulating him in mid-ring after the contest as "a great, wonderful fighter!" It was the happiest I've ever seen him after a win. Iran actually EARNED his respect, an incredible victory in itself for Barkley.)

 

I am a 'Duran' nut-grabber........... No shame at all.........

MR.BILL

 

Duran had great respect for Iran and showed it even before it was announced that he took the split -that is unusual.

I'd say that Barkley never looked better, particularly in terms of technique and strategy than that night (20 years ago tonight -how about that?!). What many don't realize is that Barkley did everything right in that fight ...and he had all of the advantages save experience ....and still lost.

 

Perhaps it's just my problem. Maybe I have a New England puritanical streak, but I don't like reading about "popping boners" on a boxing site.

 

I watched this fight just recently. Nobody got the upperhand at either long range or inside. Both had their moments. With Duran being out-reached and considerably smaller in height by around 4 inches, he mixed things up well.

I think Duran learned his lesson against Hagler to a certain degree. While it was a smart gameplan, he wasn't busy enough with his hands. And he certainly knew he had to go inside against Barkley, which was an area where he backed away from against Hagler.

Duran just went in there against Barkley with a positive attitude. Sit on the outside and get tagged at long range or go inside and get into a physical fight with a fighter who's much bigger physically? Any natural lightweight at 5' 7" is in for tough nights work with either.

 

Great fight. Thanks for posting it. Duran at his best is almost an artist, especially his defense, it's so under rated unless you watch a fight like this. With Duran you see a guy physically smaller, almost forced by styles to stand in the pocket and trade. As such his defense becomes key. So he trades with Barkley, but also manages to avoid numerous shots and throw quick counters. What an awesome performance.