Iran Barkley Begs The Question: Should Older Financially Destitute Former Champions Fight Again?
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Brooklyn, NY (October 2, 2014)– Former world middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight champion Iran ‘The Blade’ Barkley is hard at work in Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, preparing for another comeback. This time, at age 54, weighing 205 pounds, it isn’t about the self, it’s about raising money for a very sick niece. His caring is valiant, but his skills eroded long ago.
While it is not likely Barkley would be licensed to box again as a pro in major American states, he could be licensed in some of the minor American states. Barkley will be licensed to fight in Europe, where he will go for one more payday. Barkley is unlikely to last long due to neurological injuries incurred in 63 career pro bouts. Older, injured, and financially destitute former world champions and contenders should not be allowed to fight.
Should Barkley fight again? Probably not. Should he be stopped from fighting again? Depends where and who makes that decision, and based on what criterion determines where or not a fighter can fight in a particular state or country based on the boxing rules and regulations in the place a fighter wants to get licensed.
Barkley went through at least five million dollars during his professional career. Boxing and other charities have seen to it Barkley now has a place to live, and received other assistance. I have spent time with Iran at a number of boxing events I have covered, and Iran surprised me by speaking intelligently about different people involved in different aspects of the boxing game.
George Foreman, Jerry Quarry,Bob Fitzsimmons, Jack Johnson, Saoul Mamby, Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho, Roberto Duran and others have attempted to comeback at an advanced age. From Gerry Cooney to Sugar Ray Leonard, from Muhammad Ali to Benny Leonard, from Larry Holmes to Alexis Arguello, the comeback attempt becomes more difficult with the passage of time. I guess I respect the heavyweights more than other divisions in terms of comebacks, but age does not make it easier to win. It becomes harder as time passes.
From Al Cole to Riddick Bowe, from Evander Holyfield to Henry Maske, Europe seems more open to allowing old fighters to fight over there. Odds are they will get beat anyway in Europe. Barkley’s major issue to me was he was never a true heavyweight in any sense. Barkley was just too heavy when his career ended. Barkley should stay retired now. Amen.
COMMENTS
English