This is a dangerous fight to make predictions about. On one hand, Donald Curry was a far superior boxer and with enough of a punch to get Mugabi out of there. But on the flip side, Donald’s chin wasn’t great and Mugabi was absolutely lethal. While I’d love to pick Curry I have to remember that his best division was welter. I can only describe him as being an “ ok “ Jr. Middle and give no points beyond that. I’m afraid I have to favor The beast by KO.
The Donald Curry that showed up that night against Mike Mccallum…doesn’t loose to John Mugabi …Curry UD
I’d read Leonard advised Curry not to fight Hagler and to stay at welterweight (right before SL took the bout) so I think it would’ve been interesting to see (Curry v John) before Hagler lost to Leonard when Mugabi was seen as hot stuff in the division still a title eliminator to challenge Hagler.,. I believe Donald would’ve made a statement on JM and we could’ve seen Donald’s career march on at 160lbs before he lost his 0 if timelines allow.
The version of Mugabi that went toe to toe with Marvin Hagler would eventually catch and ko any version of Curry at Jr. Middleweight. Mike McCallum wasn't a big puncher, yet he laid out Curry with one clean shot. Curry's stance against an aggressive Bomber like Mugabi would eventually be his undoing. His stance was wide, almost like a horse stance in Okinawan Martial Arts, he fought in straight lines , also he squared up in close, it was those exact faults that cost him so dearly against McCallum. (Factor in a very average ability to absorb hard punches) I can easily envision Curry handedly winning the fight Against Mugabi, until suddenly he wouldn't be. Mugabi catches Curry and stops him with 6-7 rds.
Curry at 154 was a way different fighter than Curry at 147. I don't think that Curry at 154 would have beaten the pre Hagler Mugabi. He laid in too much.
Move Curry up to 154 straight after his win over McCrory and I've got Curry for sure. Too sharp and he could hit too. We know he carried his power to 154 as McCallum commented on how much he shook him. Curry much more proven for me.
He boxed beautifully in that fight and was winning handedly. But one solid left hook from McCallum and it was all over
The Mugabi camp tried to get the match & never got it. Extremely dangerous fight at 154 for the Curry braintrust.
McCallum himself felt he was getting whooped and joked about how lucky he got but yeah it was hardly a 1 sided beat down, McCallum is the real deal and defended himself credibly.
Pound for pound Curry on points or late stoppage. The 154 ib Curry from the McCallum (also looked good against the heavy handed Lupe Aquino who battered Duane Thomas) fight might survive to take a decision though Mugabi would hurt/drop Curry at some point and possibly win as he was a terrific finisher. The Curry from the Gianfranco Rosi fight looked very hittable and positively shopworn against Jacquot, he wouldn´t survive six rounds with a peak Mugabi. Post Hagler Mugabi would get stopped by peak Curry and probably outpointed by his Super-Welter version.