Former World Champion Boxer

HBO presents

October 14, 2000

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Marty3: Hello, Iran. What's the most challenging aspect of being a professional fighter?

Iran Barkley: The most challenging was preparing myself to do this, and getting in the right frame of mind to be able to face the challenges that I was going to come up against. That was the hardest for me.

Michelle: You remind me so much of "The Greatest" (Muhammed Ali). With all of the negative things that boxing has thrown your way, you have managed to remain positive and inspiring. To what do you credit this amazing aspect of your personality?

Iran Barkley: Well, my credit is first God, and then my mother. I'm very flattered to be recognized in the same place and thing as Ali is; he's a great champion and a great historic man. What kept me focused and positive was him and Joe Louis - always thinking about them and just wanting to better myself.

Marty3: Hello, Iran. Who do you think are the best fighters in the world at the moment?

Iran Barkley: Well, at the moment, I think the best fighters in the world are Mike Tyson still; Lennox Lewis is OK; Roy Jones Jr. is great. The Prince is OK, and Evander Holyfield.

Morgan: What was the biggest obstacle you overcame in your career

Iran Barkley: The biggest obstacle in my career that I overcame was facing to beat Thomas Hearns the first time, where everybody said that I was given no chance to beat him, and everyone had less faith in me. That, and hearing about my friend Davey Moore passing away in the same day. If I could continue to fight that day and go out and win that title with him passing and my brother in the hospital with cancer, that was the biggest obstacle.

Moon: What bout did you enjoy the most and why?

Iran Barkley: I would have to say my earlier fight when I fought James "The Heat" Kitchen. That was like my first big fight leading into fighting Tommy Hearns, where I knew that I had a very skillful fighter that was a good boxer but wasn't a great puncher. I knew that I had to win if I wanted to get to that next level.

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