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Barkley Returns in Exhibition!
Headed for NY Commission to get back license
February 26, 2008
By David Greene
A comeback fight that was nearly a decade in the making, did in fact take place Saturday night, as Iran "The Blade" Barkley, 47, swapped leather with the card's promoter for five rounds, in a non-sanctioned exhibition.
Barkley (43-19-1, 7 KOs) who passed his physical, fought Saturday night at the Pi-Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai, Idaho.
After telling ********* that the scheduled 10-round match was scratched because he couldn't get an opponent for Barkley, promoter Chauncy Welliver stepped into the ring at the last minute, facing Barkley himself.
After departing the plane at La Guardia Airport Sunday night, Barkley said by telephone, "Well, I did it but the (New York) commission isn't going to be too happy."
Barkley, who resides in the Bronx, N.Y., explained that Saul Mamby, 60, a fellow Bronxite, did not have all of his needed medical papers and was evidently placed on suspension and was not allowed to fight, but worked Barkley's corner for the event, held on an Indian Reservation.
"Everyone else can come back but Iran," Barkley said angrily, looking back at all the resistance he's faced in the past getting relicensed. Barkley's previous fight was a loss to Keith McKnight back in July, 1999.
Barkley suffered a detached retina in the 1980's but maintains his vision is 20/30. Barkley continued, "That's not the problem, they just say I'm too old, but they're pushing me out of what I do for a living.."
"I'm going down to the commission on Monday; I'm going to apply for my licence," Barkley vowed. Barkley did not want to offend anyone at the New York State Athletic Commission, so he would not comment on being denied, but did state he would not rule out legal action if denied because of his age.
Barkley continued, "If it wasn't for George Foreman, no one would be fighting at the ages they fight at now, because they were cutting guys off in the 80's and 90's if they got knocked out just once."
Barkley added, "How can you stop someone from doing something he does for a living?"
Since the fight could not officially be confirmed, Barkley maintains it was a 10-round fight and the bout was declared a 5-round draw, adding he pulled the plug when he didn't think he would get paid, and claims he still hasn't.
Promoter Welliver, who is also an active heavyweight from Spokane, WA., and claims a (32-4-5) ring diary, told ********* reporter Matt Richardson it was three two-minute rounds and that Barkley quit.
In a follow-up call today, Barkley confirmed he submitted his papers to the New York State Athletic Commission and says he's ready to conduct any tests they require. It's believed that Mamby is still in Idaho and thus was unavailable for comment.
* * *
Barkley, who was honered on Monday, February 18, during a Black History Month event, was presented with citations for his work with youngsters in the South Bronx by U.S. Congressman Jose Serrano and his son Senator Jose M. Serrano.
During the Black History Month celebration, Hall of Famer and W.B.C. ambassador, Emile Griffith, presented Barkley with a special medallion sent by W.B.C. President Jose Sulaiman.
Barkley won the Silver Medal New York Golden Gloves and the Gold in the Empire State Games in 1981. He captured the first of three championships when Barkley defeated WBC Middleweight champ Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns on June 6 1988, but lost the title in the next fight to Roberto Duran.
copied from http://www.*********.com/greene70.htm
Headed for NY Commission to get back license
February 26, 2008
By David Greene
A comeback fight that was nearly a decade in the making, did in fact take place Saturday night, as Iran "The Blade" Barkley, 47, swapped leather with the card's promoter for five rounds, in a non-sanctioned exhibition.
Barkley (43-19-1, 7 KOs) who passed his physical, fought Saturday night at the Pi-Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai, Idaho.
After telling ********* that the scheduled 10-round match was scratched because he couldn't get an opponent for Barkley, promoter Chauncy Welliver stepped into the ring at the last minute, facing Barkley himself.
After departing the plane at La Guardia Airport Sunday night, Barkley said by telephone, "Well, I did it but the (New York) commission isn't going to be too happy."
Barkley, who resides in the Bronx, N.Y., explained that Saul Mamby, 60, a fellow Bronxite, did not have all of his needed medical papers and was evidently placed on suspension and was not allowed to fight, but worked Barkley's corner for the event, held on an Indian Reservation.
"Everyone else can come back but Iran," Barkley said angrily, looking back at all the resistance he's faced in the past getting relicensed. Barkley's previous fight was a loss to Keith McKnight back in July, 1999.
Barkley suffered a detached retina in the 1980's but maintains his vision is 20/30. Barkley continued, "That's not the problem, they just say I'm too old, but they're pushing me out of what I do for a living.."
"I'm going down to the commission on Monday; I'm going to apply for my licence," Barkley vowed. Barkley did not want to offend anyone at the New York State Athletic Commission, so he would not comment on being denied, but did state he would not rule out legal action if denied because of his age.
Barkley continued, "If it wasn't for George Foreman, no one would be fighting at the ages they fight at now, because they were cutting guys off in the 80's and 90's if they got knocked out just once."
Barkley added, "How can you stop someone from doing something he does for a living?"
Since the fight could not officially be confirmed, Barkley maintains it was a 10-round fight and the bout was declared a 5-round draw, adding he pulled the plug when he didn't think he would get paid, and claims he still hasn't.
Promoter Welliver, who is also an active heavyweight from Spokane, WA., and claims a (32-4-5) ring diary, told ********* reporter Matt Richardson it was three two-minute rounds and that Barkley quit.
In a follow-up call today, Barkley confirmed he submitted his papers to the New York State Athletic Commission and says he's ready to conduct any tests they require. It's believed that Mamby is still in Idaho and thus was unavailable for comment.
* * *
Barkley, who was honered on Monday, February 18, during a Black History Month event, was presented with citations for his work with youngsters in the South Bronx by U.S. Congressman Jose Serrano and his son Senator Jose M. Serrano.
During the Black History Month celebration, Hall of Famer and W.B.C. ambassador, Emile Griffith, presented Barkley with a special medallion sent by W.B.C. President Jose Sulaiman.
Barkley won the Silver Medal New York Golden Gloves and the Gold in the Empire State Games in 1981. He captured the first of three championships when Barkley defeated WBC Middleweight champ Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns on June 6 1988, but lost the title in the next fight to Roberto Duran.
copied from http://www.*********.com/greene70.htm
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