On June 6, 1988, a 28-year-old Iran Barkley (24-4, 15 KOs) got a shot at the WBC middleweight title held by 29-year-old Thomas Hearns (45-2, 38 KOs).
Barkley came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 53% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months. Hearns was on a 5-fight win streak with a 80% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 7 months and 8 days.
Iran Barkley made easy work of Thomas Hearns, stopping the champion via TKO in the 3rd. Barkley improves his record to 25-4 (16 KOs), while Hearns adds a loss to his record at 45-3.
On January 10, 1992, a 31-year-old Iran Barkley (27-7, 16 KOs) got a shot at the IBF super-middleweight title held by Darrin Van Horn.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 47% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 7 days.
Iran Barkley made very easy work of Darrin Van Horn, stopping the champion via TKO in the 2nd. Barkley improves his record to 28-7 (17 KOs)
On March 20, 1992, Iran Barkley and Thomas Hearns met again in a rematch.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 48% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 10 days. Hearns was on a 4-fight win streak with a 74% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 9 months and 17 days.
Iran Barkley defeated Thomas Hearns via split decision in the rematch and wins the WBA title. Barkley improves his record to 29-7, while Hearns adds a loss to his record at 50-4-1.
On August 14, 1989, a 29-year-old Iran Barkley (25-5, 16 KOs) got a shot at the middleweight IBF title held by 26-year-old Michael Nunn (33-0, 23 KOs).
Barkley came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 53% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 21 days. Nunn was on a 33-fight win streak with a 69% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 20 days.
Michael Nunn defeated Iran Barkley via majority decision and successfully defended his IBF middleweight title. Nunn improves his record to 34-0, while Barkley adds a loss to his record at 25-6.
On June 8, 1997, a 37-year-old Iran Barkley (40-12, 24 KOs) and a 42-year-old South African boxer Gerrie Coetzee (33-5-1, 21 KOs) met in the ring.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 7-fight win streak with a 46% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 17 days. Coetzee was on a 3-fight win streak with a 53% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 29 days.
Iran Barkley stopped Gerrie Coetzee via TKO in the 10th round. Barkley improves his record to 41-12 (25 KOs), while Coetzee adds a loss to his record at 33-6-1.
On June 19, 1986, a 26-year-old Iran Barkley (17-3, 12 KOs) and Tony Harrison met in the ring in a middleweight bout.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 60% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 13 days.
Iran Barkley stopped Tony Harrison via KO in the 3rd round. Barkley improves his record to 18-3 (13 KOs)
On October 23, 1987, 27-year-old Iran Barkley (22-3, 14 KOs) and 31-year-old Sumbu Kalambay (42-3-1, 25 KOs) fought for the vacant WBA middleweight title.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 13-fight win streak with a 56% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 20 days. Kalambay was on a 5-fight win streak with a 54% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 27 days.
Sumbu Kalambay defeated Iran Barkley via unanimous decision . Kalambay improves his record to 43-3-1, while Barkley adds a loss to his record at 22-4.
On November 1, 1985, a 25-year-old Iran Barkley (15-3, 11 KOs) and Wilford Scypion met in the ring.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 61% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 3 days.
Iran Barkley stopped Wilford Scypion via KO in the 8th round. Barkley improves his record to 16-3 (12 KOs)
On February 21, 1985, a 24-year-old Iran Barkley (9-3, 6 KOs) and Osley Silas met in the ring for the 2nd time,.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 20 days.
In the rematch, Iran Barkley stopped Osley Silas via TKO in the 6th round. Barkley improves his record to 10-3 (7 KOs)
On February 2, 1996, a 35-year-old Iran Barkley (33-12, 20 KOs) and James Baker met in the ring.
Barkley came in to the fight on a 3-fight losing streak with a 44% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 15 days.
Iran Barkley stopped James Baker via TKO in the 1st round. Barkley improves his record to 34-12 (21 KOs)