April 6 1987, Marvelous Marvin Hagler defends hi title against Donald Curry

In 1982/1983, Donald was a helluva fighter, but he wasn't the complete force he was when he unified against Milton in 1985. He had the good but not overly impressive win against Finch, and the wins against Viruet and Starling. He wasn't quite that fighter he was going to become. And this was Milton before the Colin Jones fights, where he got exposed a bit somewhat. I think Milton could have done enough to pull out a close decision win, enough where the verdict wouldn't fully harm either fighter to the point of total damage.

 

Could be, but in the 1982/1983 time frame, when Milton didn't have his hand problems as evident? Tougher fight for Donald, and with the Undisputed belt on the line, he might face a loss, but a close one. Often wondered what would have happened if that was Bobby Joe Young in their against Curry instead of Jun Sok Hwang in that vacant WBA world welterweight championship fight in 1983. Curry might not be getting up if he got floored by Young instead of Hwang.

 

Right. Jun Suk Hwang actually floored Curry twice in that fight. The first time was with a left hook in the second round (it was ruled a slip), then Hwang staggered Curry a second time in the second round - again with a left hook (because the "slip" wasn't a slip, he was rocked). And Hwang floored Curry hard in the seventh round with a right hand that had Curry holding on trying to recover.

I know Curry could look smooth in the ring. But people pretend he was a "defensive master" who was untouchable before Honeyghan, and that was not true.

People really like to put the blinders on when talking about Curry. I have never understood it. Honestly.

 

Perhaps but i'd still favor Curry. He beat Starling early on and Starling with hindsight was always better than McCrory. Milt was a good fighter but he was missing something. He couldn't distinguish himself above Jones in 24 super close rounds. I'm not knocking Jones who was a good fighter as well but as you say Milt got exposed a bit.

 

I was never impresssed with milt, curry was good but no where near great.

 

Hagler should pound out a win here. Curry was obviously a tremendous boxer and was very quick but I don't think he'd be able to get Marvin's respect enough or be able to keep away consistently enough for the win. Hagler had slowed but he wasn't stuck in cement and even against Leonard he showed he was able to apply constant pressure on someone who was hell bent on moving. I don't think Curry would be able to remain effective against a guy like Hagler coming after him.

 

I know the whole premise of hypothetical match ups is built on levels of absurdity; this is very much at the far end.


If we are assuming off the back of everything we know, Curry beats Honeyghan, then we might as well suggest Curry KO1 Hagler is a feasible next step in the scenario.

 

Curry was a fascinating Fighter to watch, standing still with his high guard and relying on his reflexes to fire off lightning, accurate counters. I had the privilege of watching him at very close range as he finished his training for the Colin Jones fight at the Birmingham City gym where I trained. As has been said, a Rolls Royce.
Although Don was killing himself to do Welterweight, I still think Honeyghan wrote the blueprint on how to beat him. Don't wait. Wade in like you don't reckon him.
If I'm right, Hagler would ruin him.

 

Curry would have comprehensively outboxed Young. Mid to late rounds stoppage likely.

Young was just as defensively difficient as Hwang but not as durable. True he had a bigger punch than Hwang but doubtful he'd hit Curry much.

I know you've posited this same question before and have stuck to your belief Young could stop Curry but barring a lucky punch I don't see it happening.

 

I think Bobby Joe could get to Donald quicker than Hwang as well.

 

Did Lloyd Honeyghan ever lose to Marlon Starling?

 

Curry was never beating freaking Marvin Hagler. Not even "make believe" Donald Curry with all his knockout losses magically forgotten.

Or should we imagine "make believe" Donald Curry is also a fighter who tucks his chin in and doesn't hold it up in the air?

 

Curry would have knocked Young out and easily.
Curry beat the hell out Starling the second time.
Not really any boxer can say that.
Curry chopped up Jones EASILY and if not for the cut Jones gets laid out.
Curry crushed Nino and made it look easy.
Then he smashed Mccroy in TWO rounds- the same Mccroy that went 10 with Mccallum.
Curry was a very good defensive fighter-ask Starling.