Introduction
Iran Barkley (born May 6, 1960) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1999. He is a three-weight world champion, having held the WBC middleweight title from 1988 to 1989; the IBF super middleweight title from 1992 to 1993; and the WBA light heavyweight title in 1992. As an amateur, Barkley won a bronze medal in the middleweight division at the 1982 World Championships.
Early life and amateur career
Iran Barkley was the youngest of eight children raised in the Patterson Houses and was a member of the Black Spades street gang in his youth, along with former heavyweight contender Mitch Green. Iran's sister Yvonne, who fought professionally during the late 1970s, convinced him to start boxing.
Amateur achievements
- 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
Professional career
Known as "The Blade", Barkley turned professional in December 1982, and first challenged for a world title against the highly skilled Italian Sumbu Kalambay, losing on points over fifteen rounds for the vacant WBA middleweight title 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 title with a third round knockout of Thomas Hearns, voted 1988 Upset of the Year by The 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 and lineal middleweight titles, 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 vacated the title without defending it, choosing instead to defend his super middleweight title against IBF and lineal middleweight champion James Toney. Barkley reportedly had trouble getting back down to the 168lb weight limit and lost his IBF title via a corner retirement after nine rounds due to severe swelling around both eyes.
Barkley's final shot at a title would come against undefeated Henry Maske at light heavyweight for Maske's IBF title in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany in October 1994. Barkley again lost by corner retirement after nine rounds.
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 WBB heavyweight title, a bout in which Barkley retired former WBA 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.
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.
Professional boxing record
| Professional record summary | ||
| 63 fights | 43 wins | 19 losses |
| By knockout | 27 | 7 |
| By decision | 16 | 12 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | Loss | 43–19–1 |  Keith McKnight | TKO | 6 (10), 2:47 | Jul 31, 1999 | Lady Luck Casino, Lula, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 62 | Loss | 43–18–1 |  Trevor Berbick | UD | 8 | Jun 29, 1999 | Molson Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| 61 | Loss | 43–17–1 |  Tony Halme | SD | 12 | Apr 19, 1999 | Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland | |
| 60 | Loss | 43–16–1 | Thomas Williams | TKO | 4 | Mar 19, 1999 | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, Ocala, Florida, U.S. | |
| 59 | Loss | 43–15–1 | Joey Guy | PTS | 10 | Jan 27, 1999 | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | |
| 58 | Loss | 43–14–1 |  Tue Bjørn Thomsen | UD | 6 | Nov 6, 1998 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 57 | Win | 43–13–1 | Caseny Truesdale | TKO | 4 (10) | Oct 22, 1998 | Roxy Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 56 | Draw | 42–13–1 | Dan Kosmicki | TD | 4 (8), 1:23 | Sep 30, 1998 | Station Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 55 | Loss | 42–13 | Tony LaRosa | UD | 10 | Aug 22, 1998 | Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 42–12 | Marcelo Aravena | TKO | 3 | Sep 13, 1997 | Mandan, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 41–12 |  Gerrie Coetzee | TKO | 10 (12), 2:07 | Jun 8, 1997 | Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Won vacant World Boxing Board heavyweight title |
| 52 | Win | 40–12 | Dave Fiddler | KO | 1 | Jan 22, 1997 | Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, Washington, US.. | |
| 51 | Win | 39–12 | Caseny Truesdale | TKO | 4 (6), 1:32 | Nov 20, 1996 | The Ritz, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 38–12 | Frankie Hines | TKO | 1 | Nov 14, 1996 | Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 37–12 | Dan Kosmicki | UD | 8 | Sep 6, 1996 | Casino Omaha, Onawa, Iowa, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 36–12 | Craig Payne | MD | 8 | Jul 27, 1996 | Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, Washington, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 35–12 | Brian Yates | UD | 8 | Jun 3, 1996 | Marriott Allis Plaza Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 34–12 | James Baker | TKO | 1 (8), 1:00 | Feb 2, 1996 | Marriott Hotel, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 33–12 | Rocky Gannon | MD | 8 | Aug 18, 1995 | The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 44 | Loss | 33–11 |  Tosca Petridis | UD | 10 | May 14, 1995 |  Sports and Entertainment Centre, Melbourne, Australia | |
| 43 | Loss | 33–10 |  Henry Maske | RTD | 9 (12), 3:00 | Oct 8, 1994 | Gerry Weber Stadion, Halle, Germany | For IBF light heavyweight title |
| 42 | Win | 33–9 | Gary Butler | UD | 8 | Jul 22, 1994 | Brady Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| 41 | Win | 32–9 | Rick Enis | TKO | 4 (10) | May 24, 1994 | Brady Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
| 40 | Loss | 31–9 | Adolpho Washington | TKO | 6 (10), 0:33 | Oct 20, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 31–8 | Dino Stewart | TKO | 9 | Aug 30, 1993 | Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 38 | Loss | 30–8 | James Toney | RTD | 9 (12), 3:00 | Feb 13, 1993 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost IBF super middleweight title |
| 37 | Win | 30–7 | Robert Folley | KO | 4 (10), 2:48 | Dec 5, 1992 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 29–7 | Thomas Hearns | SD | 12 | Mar 20, 1992 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBA light heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 28–7 | Darrin Van Horn | TKO | 2 (12), 1:33 | Jan 10, 1992 | Paramount Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won IBF super middleweight title |
| 34 | Win | 27–7 |  Jesus Castaneda | TD | 8 (10) | Oct 3, 1991 | Four Seasons Arena, Great Falls, Montana, U.S. | Unanimous TD after Castaneda sustained a cut |
| 33 | Win | 26–7 | Juan Hernandez | UD | 10 | Aug 16, 1991 | Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 32 | Loss | 25–7 |  Nigel Benn | TKO | 1 (12), 2:57 | Aug 18, 1990 | Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBO middleweight title |
| 31 | Loss | 25–6 | Michael Nunn | MD | 12 | Aug 14, 1989 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | For IBF and lineal middleweight titles |
| 30 | Loss | 25–5 |  Roberto Durán | SD | 12 | Feb 24, 1989 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Lost WBC middleweight title |
| 29 | Win | 25–4 | Thomas Hearns | TKO | 3 (12), 2:39 | Jun 6, 1988 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBC middleweight title |
| 28 | Win | 24–4 | Michael Olajide | TKO | 5 (10), 1:21 | Mar 6, 1988 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 23–4 | Sanderline Williams | SD | 10 | Jan 29, 1988 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 26 | Loss | 22–4 |  Sumbu Kalambay | UD | 15 | Oct 23, 1987 | Palazzo dello Sport, Livorno, Italy | For vacant WBA middleweight title |
| 25 | Win | 22–3 |  Jorge Amparo | UD | 10 | Apr 3, 1987 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 21–3 | Stacy McSwain | UD | 10 | Feb 20, 1987 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 20–3 | James Kinchen | SD | 10 | Oct 17, 1986 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 19–3 |  Basante Blanco | RTD | 4 (10), 0:01 | Jul 24, 1986 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 18–3 | Tony Harrison | KO | 3 (12), 2:06 | Jun 19, 1986 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas middleweight title |
| 20 | Win | 17–3 | Mike Tinley | SD | 12 | Dec 6, 1985 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas middleweight title |
| 19 | Win | 16–3 | Wilford Scypion | KO | 8 (10), 2:59 | Nov 1, 1985 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 15–3 | Norberto Sabater | KO | 2 (10), 1:21 | Aug 29, 1985 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 14–3 | Bill Lee | TKO | 3 (10), 1:58 | Aug 8, 1985 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 13–3 |  Carlos Betancourt | KO | 1 (10), 1:48 | Jul 11, 1985 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 12–3 | Randy Smith | UD | 10 | May 24, 1985 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 11–3 | Norberto Sabater | TKO | 2 (8), 2:25 | Apr 26, 1985 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 10–3 | Osley Silas | TKO | 6 (8), 2:25 | Feb 21, 1985 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 12 | Loss | 9–3 | Eddie Hall | SD | 8 | Nov 1, 1984 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 9–2 | John Ford | TKO | 5 (8) | Aug 23, 1984 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 8–2 | Esteban Pizzarro | UD | 8 | Jul 5, 1984 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 9 | Loss | 7–2 | Robbie Sims | TKO | 6 (10), 2:21 | Jan 6, 1984 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Marciano Bernardi | TKO | 1, 2:27 | Dec 15, 1983 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Frank Minton | TKO | 5, 1:21 | Aug 18, 1983 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Jose Torres | UD | 6 | Jun 18, 1983 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 5 | Loss | 4–1 | Osley Silas | PTS | 6 | Mar 31, 1983 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Donnie Franklin | UD | 4 | Feb 18, 1983 | Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Donnie Williams | TKO | 1 (4), 2:45 | Jan 29, 1983 | Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Bruce Starling | KO | 2 (4) | Jan 6, 1983 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Larry Jordan | TKO | 2 (4) | Dec 9, 1982 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Professional debut |
Life after boxing
Barkley has fallen on some difficult times since his retirement from boxing. Penniless and unemployed, he became homeless in November 2010 after he was evicted from his Bronx apartment. Through the support of the Bronx nonprofit BronxWorks and the Ring 10 boxing charity, the former world champion found housing and receives assistance so he can become self-supporting. Barkley currently resides in the Morrisania area of the South Bronx. He is a ringside regular at boxing matches in New York City. Barkley is a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. 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.