Iran Barkley – “The Blade’s” First Rise To The Top

To me, the fact that Iran Barkley has not been enshrined in The Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota is a travesty. He definitely deserves the honour. When one looks back at the incredible fighting career “The Blade” had, it becomes apparent how very tough and gutsy he was. He was more than just a face first brawler, too. Let’s face it, no boxer who is capable of nothing more than fighting with his face wins world titles in three different weight classes, as Iran did. He gave his all in the ring every time out and the fans loved him for it, in fact, they still do. Talk to most any boxing fan, and they will tell you that the name of Iran Barkley is one deserving of belonging in The Hall Of Fame.

He has been retired for more than the stipulated five years one needs to be eligible to enter The Hall, therefore he should be in there. Come on, give the guy his due! The word legend is one worthy of bestowing on Iran and he is a fighter who I, unashamedly, admire incessantly.

In tribute form, I take a look back at Iran’s rise to the very top of his sport in this article. He achieved his goal, of becoming a world champion, in devastating fashion in 1988. And although he was not to hold onto his newly acquired middleweight championship for very long, he remained a serious player in the division for some time, before moving up in weight and capturing more world titles. Here though, I concentrate on Barkley’s initial climb to the very summit of boxing.

This particular boxing legend was born on 6 May 1960 and hailed from the Bronx, New York. A fittingly tough childhood followed and after some time spent in street gangs, Iran got his “Blade” nickname from running with one of these gangs. A gang so tough, part of it’s initiation ceremony involved any potential new member having to walk through two lines of established members, one on either side, armed with baseball bats and chains, which they then used with devastating efficiency on their would be “homey.”

Famously, a battered and bleeding Iran Barkley made it through. With this kind of toughness in his possession, how could any professional boxer armed only with padded gloves get the better of him? In 1982, Barkley decided to go and find out, embarking on a pro career at the end of the year. And what a truly eventful career it turned out to be.

He turned pro as a middleweight and made an impressive debut, knocking out a fighter named Larry Jordan in two devastating rounds. Barkley was on his way. After three early setbacks, most notably a KO loss to Marvelous Marvin Hagler’s half brother Robbie Simms in a wild affair, Iran found himself with a world title shot, fighting for the vacant WBA Middleweight Championship against the Italian Sumbu Kalambay in Livorno, Italy, on 23 October 1987.

Kalambay, a criminally underrated fighter who was an incredibly skilful boxer, knew too much for him and boxed his way to a unanimous decision win over the fifteen round limit.

Barkley was far from done however, he had proven he had what it took to bounce back from a defeat. He fought again a mere three months later, more determined than ever, and then in 1988 he scored an excellent victory over fellow contender Michael “The Silk” Olajide in New York, winning by KO in five rounds.

This earned him another crack at a world title, this time against the legendary Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, and this time in Las Vegas. Hearns, who had just made boxing history by becoming the first man ever to win world titles in four different weight classes, was making the first defence of his newly acquired middleweight belt. “The Hitman” was an overwhelming favourite to hold onto it.

Barkley took a terrific pasting in the first two rounds, once again showing his toughness and ability to take punishment. This toughness doesn’t necessarily win fights however, and if Iran had lost this fight it may well have been his last chance to reign.

Going into the third round, a bleeding and desperate Barkley gave it his all and really threw some haymakers. One of these, a devastating right, landed flush on Hearns’ jaw and suddenly the upset victory of the year and the WBC title belonged to “The Blade”. He had done it, at last he was a world champion.

In the ring interview afterwards, a victorious Barkley gave Hearns nothing but respect and thanked him for his chance. He also gave us an example of his quick witted sense of humour. When asked if he had been fearful that the bad cuts Hearns had inflicted on him had put his chances of winning in jeopardy, he replied that he simply carried on throwing punches, not having time to bleed!

Unfortunately, Iran was to lose his belt in his very first defence. Small consolation it may heave been to him at the time, but at least the fight in which he lost his title was an absolute classic. Roberto Duran, despite being thirty seven, scraped home with a desperately hard fought split
decision victory in 1989’s fight of the year. Iran’s title had gone. He still had plenty to offer, however.

After losses to two more excellent middleweights in Michael Nunn (in a fight that prompted the need for Iran to undergo retina surgery) and Nigel Benn, “The Blade” had a layoff and returned as a super middleweight. He soon captured his second title, and then, at light heavyweight, he won his third. He did this by repeating his win over all time great, Thomas Hearns.

In doing so, Iran proved his first ascension to the status of world champion was no fluke. In fact, Barkley’s entire career was as real as it gets.

His place in history is, or should be, secured!