Iran Barkley
| Iran Barkley | |||||||||||||
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Barkley in 2011
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| Statistics | |||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | The Blade | ||||||||||||
| Rated at | |||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | ||||||||||||
| Born | May 6, 1960 | ||||||||||||
| 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 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.
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.
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.
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