Thomas Hearns vs Iran Barkley

Thomas Hearns' first defense of the WBC World Middleweight Title against Iran Barkley on 7th March 1987 was a highly anticipated fight that took place at the Las Vegas Hilton Outdoor Arena in Las Vegas. The bout was promoted by Top Rank and was refereed by Richard Steele.

Going into the fight, Hearns had a record of 45-2-0 while Barkley was 24-4-0. Despite Hearns being the favorite with odds of 4 to 1, Barkley was determined to take home the title. Both fighters weighed in at 160lbs, and the fight was broadcast live on pay-per-view and closed circuit television.

The first two rounds saw Hearns in control as he hit Barkley almost at will. However, by the beginning of the third round, Barkley was bleeding from cuts above both eyes and from the lower lip. Hearns continued to pound away at Barkley, but it was a big right hand from Barkley that would change the course of the fight. As Hearns started to fall back, Barkley hit him with another right and Hearns went down flat on his back. Despite struggling to get up, Hearns barely beat Steele's count, but a barrage by Barkley sent Hearns into the ropes and the referee stopped the contest.

Hearns landed 52.2 percent of his 157 punches, compared with Barkley's 31.1 percent of 122 punches. Despite this, Barkley's knockout of Hearns was named Upset of the Year for 1988 by The Ring. The fight between Hearns and Barkley was a memorable one that showcased the power and determination of both fighters. It was a testament to the thrill and excitement that boxing can bring to its fans.