When The Rivalry Was So Intense, So Nasty They Never Shook Hands After The Fight

08/27/2018 James Slater

Many years ago, live on air when calling the ferocious, bad blood battle between middleweights Roberto Duran and Iran Barkley, commentators Gil Clancy and Al … continue

Iran Barkley says he’s coming back as a cruiserweight – at age 58

07/20/2018 James Slater

There seems little to no chance it would be permitted to happen, not in an officially sanctioned fight anyway, but former three-weight champ Iran Barkley … continue

Happy Birthday Iran Barkley!

05/09/2018 James Slater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipCPw6H2Lqk Iran Barkley, who today celebrates his 58th birthday, gave his all in the ring every time out and the fans loved him for it … continue

Iran Barkley speaks: “The Blade” on Hearns, Leonard, Duran, Benn and more

04/16/201604/16/2016 James Slater

As he is often fond of saying whenever he grants an interview, former three-weight champion Iran Barkley never had things easy during his career. The blood and guts warrior who gave his all in memorable battles with the likes of Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Nigel Benn and others, can come across as bitter at times – bitter over how he feels he was not paid the type of big money he should have been and bitter over how he feels he was “robbed” in some of his fights.

But Barkley always gives a good interview – with a career full of great fights, how could he not – and today, recently married, the 55-year-old comes across as more upbeat and cheerful. ESB has had the pleasure of speaking with “The Blade” on a number of occasions and each time he has been kind enough to grant some of his time, Barkley has proven a very interesting subject.

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Iran Barkley speaks about his epic fight with Roberto Duran, over 25-years on

02/25/201502/24/2015 James Slater

On this day 26 years ago, inside a packed Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey, two bitter middleweight rivals went to war over 12 absolutely thrilling rounds.

Outside, snow covered the ground thanks to a blizzard, yet inside the arena the heat was scorching. WBC middleweight ruler Iran Barkley fought a thought to be faded legend in Roberto Duran and the fans in attendance witnessed both a modern day classic and a renaissance.

For all 12 ‘don’t-blink’ rounds, the 28-year-old and the 37-year-old went to war, with a number of unforgettable highlights and a ton of terrific action on display through the 36-minutes. In the end, old “Hands of Stone” prevailed via a somewhat controversial upset split decision, relieving “The Blade” of his green belt.

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Iran “The Blade” Barkley Speaks: 25-Years After His Stunning Upset KO Of Thomas Hearns

06/23/201306/20/2013 James Slater

barkley464 (1) Just over 25-years ago, Iran “The Blade” Barkley, he of the mean streets of The Bronx, met Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, he of the equally tough neighbourhoods of Detroit – and a sensational middleweight title fight was witnessed.

Hearns, by 1988 already a living legend, has just made history by becoming the first ever four-time “world” champion in boxing (welterweight, light-middle, light-heavy and then middleweight). Barkley, who had been handily out-pointed by the talented Sumbu Kalambay in his only other world title challenge, was a pretty big underdog entering the ring at The Las Vegas Hilton that summer’s evening. Still, sage boxing people knew Barkley was as tough as he was dangerous. To the shock of millions, Barkley showed just how tough and dangerous he was, after taking a most ferocious beating at the hands of the champion.

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