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02/25/2008 Archived Entry: "Iran Barkley fights in a three round exhibition"
Iran Barkley fights in a three round exhibition
By Ricardo Ibarra at Ringside
Barkley (right) with promoter and exhibition opponent, Chauncey Welliver
This past Saturday, February, 23rd at the Pi-Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai, Idaho, local fight fans were treated to an eight bout amateur card headlined by former middleweight king Iran Barkley in a three round exhibition bout against heavyweight Chauncey Welliver. The show, which was promoted by Welliver, almost did not come to fruition as controversy grew over the inclusion of sixty year old Saul Mamby and forty-seven year old Iran Barkley in professional bouts. In the end all of the professional fights that were scheduled to be on the card were scrapped at the last minute by the promoter and replaced with exhibition bouts.
The main event, which was originally scheduled for five rounds, was scaled back to three at Barkley’s request. The bout was fought at a tentative pace early on as both fighters slowly exchanged punches. The lull was broken as Welliver began to play to the crowd drawing enthusiastic cheers. Barkley, still quite strong at the age of forty-seven, dug into his opponent’s body with hard hooks. Welliver answered back, exchanging on the inside as Barkley pressed, giving the crowd some good back and forth action. Most of the bout was of fought in close, with the much younger Welliver getting the better of most exchanges. By the end of the bout Barkley was breathing heavily, but still throwing hard shots. No decision was rendered in this bout.
Afterwards, Welliver said, "After thinking about it and deciding an amateur wouldn't know how to hold back, I just jumped into the ring with the former champ and let him beat on me for three rounds. The crowd respected Iran, and he was a delight to work with. It truly was an honor to be in the ring with him. Thanks Blade!"
The co-feature was a scheduled five round exhibition bout between Frank Bybee and Darrel Gardner. Unfortunately Gardner did not seem to understand the concept of an “exhibition”. He swarmed his opponent from the outset with hard punches to the head, obviously looking for a KO. Bybee fired back gamely, but he was getting tagged repeatedly by the faster, younger Gardner. In the second round Gardner connected with repeated right hands, dropping Bybee. The referee stopped the bout immediately as Bybee struggled to get to his feet.
The under card featured eight amateur bouts between local boxers. The most impressive young fighter of the night was Fred Miller of Spokane, WA. He fought twice, stopping Josh Pike in the second round and Josh Williams in the first. Other results were as follows:
70 lbs. class Tui Moliga winner by 2nd round stoppage over Shawn Gibson
103 lbs. class Isaac Hayes winner Unanimous decision over Tryveon Lewis
135 lbs. class Chad Walton winner due to retirement by Francis Davidson
Jordan Joeshels winner due to retirement by Tui Moliga
Xavier Wheeler winner Unanimous decision over Nathan Raya
Rebecca Padilla winner decision over Jazmin Hiegal
