Jorge Fernando Castro vs. Iran Barkley

[Hulk]

If these two trains had collided, who would have been derailed?

This would have been a WAR.

Nigel Benn vs. Castro would have as well.

[Master]

Castro was hard as nails, looked up his career and he fought Duran which I forgot about and his comeback against John David Jackson was amazing.

[mikeeod]

I will NEVER forget the Castro-Jackson fight. I've been a fan for almost 30 years n to me that was the greatest n most spectacular comeback/turn around I've ever seen! Jackson had his eyes closed n was boxing circles around Castro. The ref was literally about to step in n stop the fight n Castro came off the ropes with a HUGE shot n Jackson was out on his feet. Castro was unbelievably tough. He wasn't very big for 160, either. I will never forget seeing him n Julio Ceasar Vasquez in person n Vasquez, as a 154 pounder, looked much bigger than Jorge. Jorge just had a HUGE punch, chin to match, n great heart. He would've beaten Barkley in a VIOLENT fight. Iran was tough, big, n could punch but he would swell early in fights n as proven by Benn, a big puncher could take him out.

[mikeeod]

Castro had his eyes closed, not Jackson. Sorry.

[Hulk]

I share your admiration for Castro. He didn't look like much, but he was a freak of nature. Just an extremely rugged, tough and strong SOB. His record is legendary.

I'd say he would have a damn good chance of outlasting Barkley in a slug fest. He would probably get staggered along the way a time or two.

[Master]

Iran could box and probably would try to do that once he figured he was not going to stop Castro

[mikeeod]

The fact that a young Roy couldn't stop Castro makes me think that Barkley wouldn't get him out of there either. The only guys who could effectively box against Castros rugged, unorthodox style were guys like Reggie Johnson, John David Jackson, n Roy. Barkley was not in their level n Jackson n Johnson both had serious struggles with him. Barkley has no choice but to slug but isn't as durable so he loses a war. Would've been a great action fight.

[Spicoli]

Both guys have similarity but I don't see a wash at all for Castro. Castro was rugged and raw and both of these guys were very dangerous when hurt, and both could be hurt. Barkley was a solid inside brawler with his own odd angles and both struggled with movers and slickness. But Castro wasn't bullet proof, frankly the record is very impressive but like evertyhing else, numbers can be inflated and he had a huge run up with backyard cooking and faced the same opponent on a handful of occasions. Norris didn't have the best of beards and was unfazed by a young fresh Castro and little known Anthony Andrews gave Castro all he could handle and had him staggered and down in that one. Takehara found him repeatedly with left hooks and had him badly hurt and knockdown with bodyshot early. Barkley carried the weight better to me and went deeper and closer with a better class of fighter. Not saying that equates to a win, but he wouldn't be looking and chasing down Castro and I think he hit everybit just as hard. Great match while its lasted, and both were true to their styles and damn good at what they did.

[Hulk]

Both guys have similarity but I don't see a wash at all for Castro. Castro was rugged and raw and both of these guys were very dangerous when hurt, and both could be hurt. Barkley was a solid inside brawler with his own odd angles and both struggled with movers and slickness. But Castro wasn't bullet proof, frankly the record is very impressive but like evertyhing else, numbers can be inflated and he had a huge run up with backyard cooking and faced the same opponent on a handful of occasions. Norris didn't have the best of beards and was unfazed by a young fresh Castro and little known Anthony Andrews gave Castro all he could handle and had him staggered and down in that one. Takehara found him repeatedly with left hooks and had him badly hurt and knockdown with bodyshot early. Barkley carried the weight better to me and went deeper and closer with a better class of fighter. Not saying that equates to a win, but he wouldn't be looking and chasing down Castro and I think he hit everybit just as hard. Great match while its lasted, and both were true to their styles and damn good at what they did.

Nice breakdown. Barkley was bigger and quite possibly a cut above Castro in terms of class. I certainly wouldn't favor Castro against Tommy Hearns. Not at all.

[mikeeod]

I just feel like other than Hearns, who Barkley definitely had his number, I don't remember him beating anyone of significance. Darrin Van Horn was one if the weakest titlists I've ever seen. I can't remember who he beat at 175 but I just don't remember him ever being that impressive. Benn blew him out in one round, Toney humiliated him. Castro lost by wide margins to Norris n Roy but I just feel he was a little quicker n slightly more durable than Iran. I can see the point u made though n I can definitely see a case being made for a Barkley win. This would've been a great match up

[Violent Demise]

I just feel like other than Hearns, who Barkley definitely had his number, I don't remember him beating anyone of significance. Darrin Van Horn was one if the weakest titlists I've ever seen. I can't remember who he beat at 175 but I just don't remember him ever being that impressive. Benn blew him out in one round, Toney humiliated him. Castro lost by wide margins to Norris n Roy but I just feel he was a little quicker n slightly more durable than Iran. I can see the point u made though n I can definitely see a case being made for a Barkley win. This would've been a great match up

Michael Olajide and James Kinchen were good wins