Is Iran Barkley overrated

[Benncollinsaad]

Barkley was a huge guy and a real tough cookie, he beat Michael Olajide, James Kinchen, Caveman Lee, Wilford Scypion all of who was contenders and good fighters.. his fight with Duran was a `Classic`and one of Durans best career performances, its cannot be taken from Barkley that he `twice` beat Thomas Hearns showing incredible toughness and guts in both fights.

First time he beat Hearns with a lucky shot and the second time by hanging on him all the time. And still it was a razor thin victory. He lost to the best technicians like Kalambay, Toney and Maske. He was a warrior and that's why many of you like him. But face it-he was never a great fighter.

[talip bin osman]

prime mr. barkley at his best can beat all the guys in the "super six" tournament IMHO...

he can easily clean up MW & SMW divisions in this era i think...

[sonnyboyx2]

prime mr. barkley at his best can beat all the guys in the "super six" tournament IMHO...

he can easily clean up MW & SMW divisions in this era i think...

yes i agree with you IMO Barkley would be favourd to beat all the Super 6

[sonnyboyx2]

First time he beat Hearns with a lucky shot and the second time by hanging on him all the time. And still it was a razor thin victory. He lost to the best technicians like Kalambay, Toney and Maske. He was a warrior and that's why many of you like him. But face it-he was never a great fighter.

yes your correct he did beat Hearns with what could be called a `lucky shot`but was it really "Lucky"?

Hearns suffered a horrendous `broken nose`in their 2nd fight, yet i must say that Barkley`s tactics in the 2nd fight worked great for him, they got him the victory.

and like you say, Barkley was never in the fights against the guys who was technically better than him... Barkley was far from being an ATG but he was better than a lot of guys who claim to be world champions today

[GJC]

He was a bit of a throw back IMO not overly talented but very tough and durable who could hurt. Probably is underrated when you consider he was a 3 time champion. Don't think anyone counts him a an atg but everyone gives a win against him on another fighters record the weight it deserves.

[Benncollinsaad]

His only claim to fame is beating Hearns twice. The first time it happened Hearns had just gone back from LHW to MW again and that musta taken some steam out of him. It was not a wise choice and I wonder why he did it. The second time Hearns was already not in his prime anymore. He was still good, but not as good as before.

Barkley did give Duran a good fight, but still lost in convincing fashion. Can't believe one judge gave him that fight.

[Dynamite Kid]

That rule is bogus, and it just proved how bogus it was, when it was clear Barkley could of continued, but IT had to be stopped because of that rule.
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Maybe it is a bogus rule but it was still a rule that night and Barkley visited the canvas 3 times. Debatable, he might have gone down again if Benn was able to go at him again, he looked pretty confused walking about like he did not know what just happened, meanwhile Padilla looked down at ringside and called the fight off.

[Southpaw16BF]

Maybe it is a bogus rule but it was still a rule that night and Barkley visited the canvas 3 times. Debatable, he might have gone down again if Benn was able to go at him again, he looked pretty confused walking about like he did not know what just happened, meanwhile Padilla looked down at ringside and called the fight off.

I never disputed the fact that the rule was in place that night, but it was still bogus and due to this rule a fight was stopped to early when Barkley could of continued.

You have started a thread saying Iran Barkley is overrated, and I don't see how this is true when no really overrates him anyway and if anything like most have said he is pretty underrated. To call him overrated is silly.

[mickey malone]

Once again, styles make fights & Barkley's clumbsy style & physical strength proved a nightmare for some, but easy to deal with for others.. He also had a very intimidating presence, & would always be bigger than his opponent..
All in all I don't think he is overrated amongst fight fans, but only on paper.. He was also particularly well managed & took full advantage of his opportunities in winning 3 titles.. The only problem being, that he was far better at winning titles, than he was defending them.. The 2 victories against Hearns were special though.. They were pretty good versions of Hearns, with Barkley taking a beating for the first 3 rounds of fight 1.. The KO was possibly the hardest single punch Tommy ever got hit with.. In some ways, Hearns lost the second fight, mainly because he was worried about a repeat of the first.. He was a little more apprehensive than usual, & Barkley bullied him towards the end..
Barkley finished his career at heavyweight, & I believe KO'd an old Gerry Coetzee, but I doubt The Blade was too much younger himself.. I'd say in summing up, Barkley had a very good career, was well handled & left the game with all his faculties.. In fact, he's a very intelligent & likable chap out of the ring... He's not an ATG though, more of an upset king with a very good resume.. Who knows?... He may have upset Hagler or Leonard if they'd fought.. One things for sure though, everyone in boxing respects him..

[Dynamite Kid]

His only claim to fame is beating Hearns twice. The first time it happened Hearns had just gone back from LHW to MW again and that musta taken some steam out of him. It was not a wise choice and I wonder why he did it. The second time Hearns was already not in his prime anymore. He was still good, but not as good as before.

Barkley did give Duran a good fight, but still lost in convincing fashion. Can't believe one judge gave him that fight.

Once again, styles make fights & Barkley's clumbsy style & physical strength proved a nightmare for some, but easy to deal with for others.. He also had a very intimidating presence, & would always be bigger than his opponent..
All in all I don't think he is overrated amongst fight fans, but only on paper.. He was also particularly well managed & took full advantage of his opportunities in winning 3 titles.. The only problem being, that he was far better at winning titles, than he was defending them.. The 2 victories against Hearns were special though.. They were pretty good versions of Hearns, with Barkley taking a beating for the first 3 rounds of fight 1.. The KO was possibly the hardest single punch Tommy ever got hit with.. In some ways, Hearns lost the second fight, mainly because he was worried about a repeat of the first.. He was a little more apprehensive than usual, & Barkley bullied him towards the end..
Barkley finished his career at heavyweight, & I believe KO'd an old Gerry Coetzee, but I doubt The Blade was too much younger himself.. I'd say in summing up, Barkley had a very good career, was well handled & left the game with all his faculties.. In fact, he's a very intelligent & likable chap out of the ring... He's not an ATG though, more of an upset king with a very good resume.. Who knows?... He may have upset Hagler or Leonard if they'd fought.. One things for sure though, everyone in boxing respects him..

agreed...........