Iran Barkley
| Iran Barkley | |
|---|---|
 Iran Barkley with sports writer Robert Brizel ringside at The Oceana Club in Brighton Beach Brooklyn, April 13, 2011 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Iran Barkley |
| Nickname(s) | The Blade |
| Rated at | Middleweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | May 6, 1960 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 63 |
| Wins | 43 |
| Wins by KO | 27 |
| Losses | 19 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitor for United States |
||
| Men's Boxing | ||
| World Amateur Championships | ||
| Bronze | Munich 1982 | Middleweight |
Iran Barkley (born May 6, 1960 in Bronx, New York) is a retired American professional boxer who held world titles at middleweight (1988–89), super middleweight (1992) and light heavyweight (1992).
Contents |
[edit] Professional career
Known as "The Blade", Barkley first challenged for a world title against the highly skilled Sumbu Kalambay, losing on points over fifteen rounds for the vacant WBA middleweight championship in Livorno, Toscana, Italy in October 1987.
Barkley returned in 1988 with a split decision over Sanderline Williams and a fifth round stoppage of Michael Olajide, before winning the WBC middleweight championship with a third round knockout of Thomas Hearns, voted 1988 Upset of the Year by Ring magazine.
In his next fight, Barkley lost his title via split decision in a 12 round war with Roberto Durán, in a fight proclaimed 1989 Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine. Following the defeat to Duran, Barkley took on undefeated Michael Nunn for the IBF middleweight title, dropping a close majority decision. He next fought Nigel Benn in a challenge for the WBO middleweight title and was stopped on the three knockdown rule at the end of a wild first round in which both fighters were hurt.
Barkley returned with two low-key wins at light heavyweight in 1991, then defeated Darrin Van Horn to win the IBF super middleweight title in two rounds in January 1992 in Paramount Theatre, New York. Just two months later, he went on to again defeat Hearns and take his WBA light heavyweight title via a twelve round split decision. Barkley never defended that title, choosing instead to defend his super middleweight belt against James Toney, losing his title via a corner retirement after nine rounds.
Barkley's final shot at a title would come against undefeated Henry Maske at light heavyweight for Maske's IBF belt in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany in October 1994. Barkley lost via 9th round TKO.
Barkley continued to fight after this loss, eventually moving up to the heavyweight division. His last fight of note was a June 1997 win for the bogus WBB world heavyweight title, a bout in which Barkley retired former world heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee with a 10th round TKO. Barkley 'retired' in 1999 after losing a bout in Mississippi by sixth round stoppage to Keith McKnight.
[edit] Comeback
In 2006, at the age of 46, Barkley won an unsanctioned bout by second round stoppage in Aruba. In 2008, at age 48, Barkley fought to a six round draw in an unsanctioned exhibition bout against heavyweight Chauncy Welliver in Lapwai, Idaho at the Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center of the Nez Perce Tribe.[1]
[edit] Current Status
Barkley currently resides in the Morrisania area of the South Bronx.[2] He is a ringside regular at boxing matches in New York City. Barkley is a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.[3] Barkley enjoys teaching boxing skills to young amateurs. A May 20, 2011, online article on Boxrec News hinted Barkley is seriously considering making a comeback in the ring at age 51.[4]
[edit] Films
Barkley will be featured in the forthcoming boxing documentary "Fallen Soldier", which is directed by Bobby Razak.[5]
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Hearns |
WBC Middleweight Champion 6 Jun 1988 – 24 Feb 1989 |
Succeeded by Roberto Durán |
| Preceded by Darrin Van Horn |
IBF Super Middleweight Champion 10 Jan 1992– 13 Feb 1993 |
Succeeded by James Toney |
| Preceded by Thomas Hearns |
WBA Light Heavyweight Champion 20 Mar 1992– 1992 Vacated |
Succeeded by Virgil Hill |
| Titles in pretence | ||
| Vacant
Title last held by
Herbie Hide |
World Heavyweight Champion WBB recognition 8 June 1997– 1997 Vacated |
Succeeded by Mika Kihlstrom |
[edit] Amateur career
- 1981 – Silver Medal (165 lb) at the New York Golden Gloves, losing to Dennis Milton
- 1981 – Gold Medal (165 lb) at the Empire State Games
- 1982 – Bronze Medal (165 lb)at the Copenhagen Box Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1982 – Bronze Medal (75 kg) at the World Championships in Munich, West Germany
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "News". Fight Beat. http://fightbeat.com/news_details.php?NW=21232. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ^ "Former champion boxer Iran Barkley gets some help off the ropes, out of homelessness from nonprofit". Nydailynews.com. 2011-04-16. http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/04/16/2011-04-16_former_champion_boxer_iran_barkley_gets_some_help_off_the_ropes_out_of_homelessn.html. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ^ "Iran Barkley". Njboxinghof.org. http://www.njboxinghof.org/cgi-bin/henryseehof.pl?1. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ^ "The hardest word in the hardest sport. Retirement. | BoxRecNews". News.boxrec.com. 2011-05-20. http://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/hardest-word-hardest-sport-retirement. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ^ "Invincible Warrior / Underground Nhb". Filmbaby.com. http://www.filmbaby.com/films/2535. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
