Why did Curry lose to Honeyghan?

I don't think so. Honeyghan, who was unbeaten and legit contender, beat Curry when Curry was at that level, which puts Honeyghan at that level.
And Curry only ever made ONE defence of the undisputed welter title.
Honeyghan eventually lost to Vaca by TD (Vaca later KO'd Breland) and after regaining from Vaca in devastating fashion, he lost to Starling, who Curry had wins over.
Honeyghan followed up the win over Curry with a defence against a man who had a TD over Starling, and a defence against a man who went on to dethrone Starling after Starling dethroned Honeyghan.

So Curry, Honeyghan and Starling are all pretty much equal.

 

We will agree to disagree as this one has been done 127 times. Per your above quote (the latter one) from some years back it is safe to assume you believe Curry, Honeyghan, Starling, Hearns and SRL to be "all pretty much equal".

I have to strongly disagree.

 

Does anyone contributing to this thread think that they would feel any differently if they had watched the fight completely out of context? What I mean is, because of my age, I got into boxing after this fight took place. So I watched it on YouTube after both boxers retired. It was actually my first experience of watching either athlete. On first viewing, I just thought Curry got outfought. He just got a bit beaten up. Since then, I've seen plenty of Curry and Honeyghan fights. And I understand the context. I now know how skilled Curry was, and how limited Honeyghan was (no disrespect intended). But, upon first viewing, I didn't.

 

At the end of the day Curry had to lose 11 pounds in three days prior to the fight. A death in the family could well have contributed to this, possibly more so than any standard struggles in making 147. At any rate he was well below par.

The (completely justified) knock against him in all is that many before him have came back from worse and became ATG's or proved that they already were. Sure losses and events like this have also nose dived careers like they did in Donald's case but the true greats overcome such obstacles.

So while Donald imo fought at an ATG level for a time he did not do enough to be an actual ATG. He needed to come back from this adversity and plow on successfully.

 

Regarding Honeyghan’s win over Curry, I think what needs to be considered is the way Honeyghan fought in that fight in comparison to others.
I always thought Honeyghan particularily after that fight often looked indisciplined and ragged.
That night he was very disciplined, all his fundamentals were sound, he looked a very good fighter.
Fair enough I think Curry was below par for various reasons but it was a very good performance in there by Honeyghan, he really looked the business that night.
In my opinion he never fought at that level again.

 

And Honeyghan doesn't lose to Rene Jacquot.

 

Not really the same thing though. Curry was far removed from his heyday by then.

 

A combination of factors were in play; one being that Honeyghan had come to win and take no prisoners.
Even if we assume that Curry was somehow disabled at 147, at the time, and speculate how a fully-charged Curry might have performed, it’s not changing the offensive threat that Honeyghan presented that night.

 

I don't know if Curry was disabled. Honeyghan was an undefeated guy who could blitz guys out of there. He had underrated power and fast punches.

 

Hatcher,Vaca,Jung weren't ranked

 

Lloyd and Jones would have been interesting.

 

Vaca beat Breland at 154 when they were both way past it. That fight means little when evaluating their worth. Just like Breland's KO of a shot Honeyghan shouldn't be used to denigrate Honeyghan's worth.

I will say that the TD Vaca got was a travesty as Honeyghan was ahead. But, Honeyghan should have got him out of their, and, to his credit, did so in the rematch.

Vaca was an example of someone who would never have been a champion without WBC largesse.

As for Curry, yes he was prime age wise when he fought Honeyghan.

I think a combination of weight issues, underestimating Honeyghan and Lloyd peaking for one night, pretty much explains the loss to Honeyghan.

I watched Starling/Brown which occurred in Dec. 85. The announcer said the winner would get a shot at the vacant IBF title because Curry was moving up immediately after the McCrory unification fight. The titles were going to split up a la what was happening at 175 lbs when Michael Spunks vacated his titles. For whatever reason, Curry reconsidered and it cost him. His two fights proceeding McCrory were at 154 lbs.

Overall, Curry did more than Honeyghan and is now, finally, in the Hall of fame. Honeyghan and Starling are not.

 

It's nice to quote numbers. But, context is even better.

Bumphus was on his last legs, literally and Hatcher was a blown up 140 pounder who had been twice beaten by Ubaldo Sacco at 140. His only win of note at 147 lbs was over top 20ish Darryl Anthony. I have explained in depth in another post the controversy and context surrounding Bumphus's win over Starling. His rating was based on that win and the reputation of being a former 140 lb champion. His lack of stamina, chin and legs when facing constant pressure had been exposed by Hatcher in 84. He was on borrowed time and the Starling win looks great on paper, but when you factor in Starlings lack of pressure tactics, the open scoring, and Duvas exploitation of it to lobby for a stoppage so it would go to the cards, ie put it in context, it is less impressive.

Honeyghan's 12 round decision over the rising Maurice Blocker was his best win in defense of his titles. Then he sleepwalked to the TD loss to Vaca and then kod him. Then, he had the low blow controversial KO of Chung.

I agree the WBA stripping of Honeyghan was BS.

But the only prime and somewhat dangerous opponent he faced in defenses during his two reigns, until he faced Starling, was Blocker.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

Definitely A.

 

The problem with excuses is the other guy can have one also. I think Lloyd would have beaten Donald at 154 also. His style of fast punches down the middle and underrated power and a little awkward in how he delivered punches, were bad for Donald's style which liked predicatable fighters.