Both Nigel Benn and Thomas Hearns were among the greatest fighters of the 1990s and 1980s.
Benn is best known for his epic fight series with Chris Eubank, while Hearns had a thrilling bout with ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, among other incredible performances.
The former middleweight and super middleweight champions never faced one another. However, there is one opponent that they have in common.
Despite Benn and Hearn being some of the best of all time, this former champion named another man as the most skillful opponent he’s faced.
Iran Barkley names Roberto Duran as the most skillful opponent he’s faced
Former world champion Iran Barkley faced some of the very best fighters of all time as he became a three-weight world title holder.
Although many people would consider the likes of Benn and Hearns to be their greatest opponents, this was not the case for Barkley.
Speaking to Tru School Sports, Barkley was asked who the most skillful opponent he ever faced was. With no hesitation, ‘The Blade’ said, “[Roberto] Duran.”
“Duran was a real mean guy back then… He was a little short guy who could mouse around the ring.”
Barkley fought Duran in February 1989, as the American was attempting to defend his WBC World Middleweight title. However, as the two met in New Jersey, Duran would walk away with the belt thanks to a split decision victory.
Iran Barkley has a brace of wins over Thomas Hearns
Hearns has only suffered five defeats in his career, and two of them have come from Barkley.
They met for the first time in 1988, as Hearns was looking to make the first defense of his WBC World Middleweight title. However, a third-round TKO would dethrone the legend.
Barkley and Hearns would not meet again for another four years, in 1992. This time, they would face off in a light heavyweight fight for the WBA world title.
The outcome would be the same as their first meeting, as Barkley would dethrone Hearns in his first attempted title defense. This time, Barkley would win via split decision.
As for ‘The Dark Destroyer’, Benn and Barkley had an incredible one-round brawl, where the Englishman emerged the victor.