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Allen Iverson Refutes Matt Barnes Money Throwing Claims

By Ray Boyd

LAS VEGAS, NV (CBS) -- A long list of celebrities made their way to Las Vegas this weekend for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight. Among the celebrities on hand was former Sixers guard, and NBA legend, Allen Iverson.

Iverson sat down with Josh Innes and Tony Bruno on Friday in Las Vegas ahead of the big fight. One of the topics of discussion was the upcoming Showtime documentary, "Iverson," which highlights the legacy of the former Sixer.

"It's about a lot of my life," Iverson said of the film set to debut on May 16 at 9 p.m. "It details a lot about things that, most importantly, my fans don't know and that's what it's for. That's why I was willing to do it.

LISTEN: Allen Iverson joins Josh Innes and Tony Bruno on 94WIP

"I wanted my fans to know in-depth things about me."

Iverson added that he has become tired of defending himself against some of "the rumors," that have surrounded much of his life and time in the NBA. He wants the documentary to speak to those things and serve as a catalyst for clarity.

Sportsradio 94WIP's Brian Haddad got a picture with Iverson in Las Vegas:

He clearly wants people to know this movie is not to prove anything to the "experts," out there. It is for the fans.

"It's not for Stephen A. Smith," Iverson said of the movie. "It's definitely not for Skip Bayless," he added jokingly.

Iverson also went on to talk about the special connection that he had with the fans in Philadelphia. It is a connection that is still very evident to this day.

"They gave me another energy," Iverson said of the fans that packed that building every night during his best years in Philadelphia. "When I was hurt, or I was sick, to come in there and see them smiles and to hear that roar was like no other."

One of the phrases that have come to define Iverson's time in the league is that he's the "pound for pound," toughest player to ever play the game. The fitting fight weekend analogy is something that Iverson is grateful for.

"It's a great feeling," Iverson said of hearing that compliment. "But, I'm the toughest when it comes to life in general."

Iverson explained that not only does he want to be an example of a tough basketball player. He wants to be an example to his children and to his fans that people can accomplish anything they want and overcome any odds.

Recently Matt Barnes, a Clippers forward and former teammate of Iverson in Philadelphia, said that Iverson taught him a thing or two about how to spend money in the club during their playing days in Philadelphia together. Barnes claimed that Iverson would spend up to $40,000 at strip clubs every time they went.

"I don't know what Matt is talking about," Iverson said with a laugh. "I was rich at 21, so ain't no telling what I may have done, but I know I ain't do that."

 

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