Iran Barkley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iran Barkley |
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Barkley in 2011
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| Statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | The Blade | |||||||||||||
| Rated at |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in | |||||||||||||
| Reach | 74 in | |||||||||||||
| Born | May 6, 1960 New York City, U.S. |
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| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 63 | |||||||||||||
| Wins | 43 | |||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 27 | |||||||||||||
| Losses | 19 | |||||||||||||
| Draws | 1 | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Iran Barkley (born May 6, 1960) is a famous American former professional boxer. He was known as "The Blade" because of his sharp boxing skills. Iran Barkley won world championships in three different weight classes: middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight. Before becoming a professional, he also won a bronze medal in amateur boxing at the 1982 World Championships.
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Early Life and Family
Iran Barkley grew up in New York City as the youngest of eight children. His parents were Frank Barkley, Sr. and Georgia Barkley. When he was 13 years old, his sister Yvonne, who was also a professional boxer, encouraged him to start boxing. He trained with coaches Bobby Miles and Connie Bryant.
Iran Barkley is the great uncle of NFL running back Saquon Barkley.
Amateur Boxing Achievements
Before turning professional, Iran Barkley had a successful amateur career. Here are some of his achievements:
- 1981 – Won a Silver Medal (165 lb) at the New York Golden Gloves.
- 1981 – Won a Gold Medal (165 lb) at the Empire State Games.
- 1982 – Won a Bronze Medal (165 lb) at the Copenhagen Box Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- 1982 – Won a Bronze Medal (75 kg) at the World Championships in Munich, West Germany.
Professional Boxing Career
Iran Barkley, nicknamed "The Blade," began his professional boxing career in December 1982.
First World Title Fights
His first chance to win a world title came in October 1987. He fought against the skilled Italian boxer Sumbu Kalambay for the vacant WBA middleweight title. Barkley lost this fight on points after fifteen rounds.
In 1988, Barkley had a great year. He won a fight against Sanderline Williams and then stopped Michael Olajide in the fifth round. Later that year, he won the WBC middleweight title by knocking out Thomas Hearns in the third round. This victory was a big surprise and was named the "Upset of the Year" by Ring magazine.
Challenging for More Titles
In his next fight, Barkley lost his WBC middleweight title to Roberto Durán in a very close 12-round match. This fight was so exciting that it was named the "Fight of the Year" in 1989. After this loss, Barkley fought Michael Nunn for the IBF middleweight title but lost by a close decision. He then challenged Nigel Benn for the WBO middleweight title. This fight was very wild, with both boxers getting hurt, and Barkley was stopped in the first round.
After the fight with Benn, Barkley had surgery on his eye and took a year off from boxing. He returned in 1991 with two wins in the light heavyweight division.
Winning More World Titles
In January 1992, Iran Barkley defeated Darrin Van Horn to win the IBF super middleweight title in just two rounds. Just two months later, he fought Thomas Hearns again and won his WBA light heavyweight title after a 12-round fight.
Barkley decided to give up the light heavyweight title without defending it. Instead, he chose to defend his super middleweight title against James Toney. Barkley had trouble making the weight limit for this fight and lost his IBF title after nine rounds because of swelling around his eyes.
Later Career and Retirement
Barkley's last chance at a world title was against the undefeated Henry Maske for his IBF light heavyweight title in October 1994. Barkley lost this fight after nine rounds.
He continued to box after this, even moving up to the heavyweight division. In June 1997, he won the WBB heavyweight title by defeating former WBA heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee. Iran Barkley officially retired from boxing in 1999.
Honors and Awards
Iran Barkley is a respected figure in boxing. He is a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Iran Barkley has four children. He lives in the Morrisania area of the South Bronx in New York City.
He enjoys sharing his boxing knowledge by teaching young amateur boxers. He is also often seen at boxing matches in New York City.
As mentioned earlier, Iran Barkley's great-nephew, Saquon Barkley, is a professional football player in the NFL.
