Iran Barkley, February 24, 1989, Convention Center, Atlantic City
His career now having spanned three decades, at 37 years old Duran would once again step in to the ring. Rising up to middleweight, to challenge newly minted champ Iran Barkley. Barkley had recently won the crown from Thomas Hearns. If ever Duran was an underdog this was it. Again, the smaller man, again the older man, how much did he have left? On a cold night on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, Duran relied on all of the 22 years of experience he had under his belt, to out-slick Barkley. Just as in the Hagler fight, he again countered, and stayed inside the pocket to nullify Barkley’s range and strength. Notwithstanding this, Duran did have his bell rung by Barkley on more than one occasion, yet, Duran would continue to move forward and land his own combinations. Round 11 proved to be the defining moment. Duran connected with a barrage of rights that finally sent Barkley to the floor. Barkley, like his good friend Davey Moore would get up and finish the fight, but the knockdown sealed his fate and give Duran a close unanimous decision. After the fight, Barkley told the press “It was his heart, it just wouldn’t go.” By beating Barkley, Duran became the first Latin fighter to win titles in four weight divisions and wrote yet another chapter in an already historic career.