"Donald Curry vs. Nino LaRocca" from 1984.

He was an Italian TV Sports Star in Italy.

High ratings, everytime he boxed.
He was making a great living, with no risk, fighting the 'B' division Welterweights.
His manager Rocco Agostino jumped the gun a little too quick.
Got the #2 WBA Ranking, at 59-1-0 (43 KO's)
Foolishly agreed to fight WBA Champion Donald Curry in Monte Carlo.

Nobody cared if he went after the title, as he was entertaining anyway.
They could have 'milked' that show for another 35-fights and 3-years.
He was making the equivalant of $300,000 per year, with endorsements.

Then he lost to Donald Curry, and there went the 'star power'.

 

Yes Nino LaRocca was hot, but he had injured himself in late-1983, and was not
100%.

And he re-injured his ribs in 1/28/84 (KO 5) over Tim Harris.

Instead of taking time off to recuperate, his manager in quest of more $$$, took the
fight with Gilles Elbilia 2/18/84, which he lost due to an injury.

He was still hampered by bad ribs, but took (2) more tune-up bouts before facing Donald Curry.

When he went into the ring with Donald Curry 9/22/84 (who was at the top of his game)
Nino was still suffering from injured ribs.
Not that he would have beaten Curry, but he was not ready for that fight.
It was a money only thing.

 

SiciMR. B.

Nino had hurt his ribs back in December 1983, in a sparring session, in Sicilia, Italy
He still fought throughout, but the ribs never healed properly.

He re-injured them again vs. Tim Harris and Gilles Elbillia.
And again versus Felipe Canela (3/30/84), in Las Vegas.
Following the Canela fight, he took a couple of months off.
Had a quick tune-up (KO 1) over Juan Elizondo (7/14/84).
Then fought Donald Curry (9/22/84).
He did hang in there for a few rounds, but was over-matched and out-strengthed.

 

MR. BILL,

Just saw the replay of the fight.
Fairly even for 4 Rounds.
Nino was very quick, and alot of flash.
But 'The Cobra' was striking hard.
Looks like Curry nailed Nino real good at the end of the 5th Round.
Nino was shaky coming out for the 6th, and a few hard punches later,,,,,,KA-BOOM.

 

I remember parts of this fight, wasn't there a bit of fouling and both guys getting super pised at one another in there?

 

Colin Jones heart was fading out of the game by the time he fought Curry.

He let his hair grow longer.

He wasnt eating the right foods.

Didnt fancy doing his roadwork any more.

He was comfortable - settled down - house - money in the bank.

And he thought - "what the hell am I doing in here ?"

He had enough of the game - and walked away after the Curry fight and never fought again.

Curry was at his peak - and caught Colin at the right time - when his heart was fading out of the game.

 

Colin got robbed 'twice' vs. Milton McCrory

 

A Young who never truly recovered from his loss to Kevin Howard.