Hearns1

Barkley1

 

New Iran Blade Barkley RCM Interview: Calls Out Hitman Hearns for Third Grudge Rematch

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

According to former world middleweight and light heavyweight champion Iran ‘The Blade’ Barkley, he is in Gleason’s Gym training on a daily basis, keeping fit and ready. Barkley says he is licensed to fight by the New York State Athletic Commission, his medicals up to date and always have been. Barkley has one more wish while he lives on this earth.

 

Barkley, 55, wants a third and final grudge rematch with Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns, 56.

 

Barkley’s wish to fight Hearns a third and final time has to do with defeating Hearns twice, yet Hearns got the big money fights and worldwide recognition and attention, while ‘The Blade’ claims he got the shaft. Even after fighting Roberto Duran, and fighting Hearns again, he still did not get the recognition and money paydays he felt were rightly his.

 

Barkley, 43-19-1 with 27 knockouts, Bronx, New York, last won a bout in 1998, and last appeared in the ring officially against Keith McKnight in Mississippi in 1999 at age 39. In 2006, Barkley won a comeback bout in Aruba by second round stoppage. In 2008, Barkley fought to a draw against Chauncey Welliver on Native American land of the Nez Perce Tribe in Lapwai, Idaho. These last two bouts appear to have occurred unsanctioned. Hearns, 56, 61-5-1 with 48 knockouts, Detroit, Michigan, last fought in 2006, stopping Shannon Landberg in the tenth round at age 47.

 

Robert Brizel: “Why do you want to fight a third time with Thomas Hearns? Why now?”

 

Iran Barkley: “I just did not get the credit I was supposed to get both times (I beat Thomas Hearns). I did not get all the whoopla like he would get if he beat me both times.”

 

Robert Brizel: “How’s your physical shape now?”

 

Iran Barkley: “I’m 205 pounds now, 210, my weight goes up and down. I’m good though. I train every day at Gleason’s Gym, and then I train at Fitness Gym in Manhattan where I teach boxing.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Do you think Tommy Hearns could get lucky and beat you the third time?”

 

Iran Barkley: “No, because I got his number. That means he can’t beat me. There’s no way (given) my (boxing) skills, and my knowing (knowledge) of how he (Tommy) fights.”

 

Robert Brizel: “You are calling out Thomas Hitman Hearns. What would you say to him?”

 

Iran Barkley: “My response is let’s do it. He couldn’t do it the first two times.”

 

Robert Brizel: Would this rematch be just for the money, or is more than that for you?”

 

Iran Barkley: “It is more than that to me, because I didn’t get the credit for fighting him and beating him both times!”

 

Robert Brizel: Did talk of a third match between you and Hearns take place before?”

 

Iran Barkley: “No. The first time (they thought I was sure to lose) it was set up so I was never meant to win both times by Bob Arum. I had to show them (how good I was by beating Thomas Hearns fair and square both times), I had to do what I had to do.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Are you in touch with Hearns? Have you seen him or spoken to him?”

 

Iran Barkley: “I see him when I go to the World Boxing Council conventions. We acknowledge each other. He still looks at me like ‘I want to get you!’ so I said to him go, anytime you’re ready.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Hitman Hearns is giving you the timeless perpetual stare down. Meaning?”

 

Iran Barkley: “at the WBC conventions he always gives me only that stare down, like (as if to say) ‘you know you didn’t beat me!’ and I look him back in the eye and say to him look man, the proof is in the pudding! (the personality clash goes on forever).”

 

Robert Brizel: “Is Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns is shape to fight you?”

 

Iran Barkley: “The times I have seen him, he looks in shape like he keeps fit. He (apparently) still keeps fit, tries to box and does his thing.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Make a prediction, blade.”

 

Iran Barkley: “Of course, I will knock Tommy Hearns out!!”

 

Robert Brizel: “Do you think when the bell rings, Tommy Hearns will go for broke?”

 

Iran Barkley: “No, but I know I will!”

 

Robert Brizel: “Who would train Hearns? Emanuel Steward is no longer with us.”

 

Iran Barkley: “Emanuel Steward was always with him. I think Sugar Hill would train Tommy, or his advisors would recommend another prominent trainer in Detroit. Tommy is unlike to train outside of Detroit. I know he’s got new people with him because they are with him all the time.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Do you feel cheated? You never got to fight Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mustafa Hamsho, Julian Jackson, Gerald McClellan, Wilfredo Benitez, Hector Camacho Sr., or many of the prominent fighters of your era.”

 

Iran Barkley: “I was definitely cheated. I beat Thomas Hearns twice. My next big (money) fight was supposed to be Sugar Ray Leonard, and he told he no, because I hit too hard! These other guys you mention (after I knocked out Hearns) they did not want to fight me!”

 

 

Robert Brizel: How much time do you need in training camp to prepare for Hearns?”

 

Iran Barkley: “Six weeks. The same thing I always do.  I train, I concentrate on the fight, I get my meanness on, and I do what I have to. Taking care of business. The original trainers on my team, Nick De Machato or Hector Roca, will work with me.”

 

Robert Brizel: “Any final words for Thomas Hearns?”

 

Iran Barkley: “I want to tell Tommy (one thing). Let’s get it on!”

 

Robert Brizel: “Do you think Thomas Hearns has any animosity for you?”

 

Iran Barkley: “Of course he does! I’m like the one who took it down on him. He definite wants revenge, he would like to revenge me.”

 

Robert Brizel: “You have now formally called Thomas Hearns out. If a Detroit promoter puts this rematch on the table, and both fighters’ medicals clear the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission (LARA), will Hitman Hearns take the bout and show up even at this point in the game, or will Hitman turn fraidy-cat chicken and duck you?”

 

Iran Barkley: “Hitman Hearns will show up! You better believe it. Hitman Hearns will show up and try to win! I’ll still knock him out! Tommy, let’s do it. Tommy, let’s get it on!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

COMMENTS

COMMENTS