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When Sugar Ray Leonard retired for the primary time in 1982, his departure left behind an enormous void, one not simply crammed. Over the subsequent few years, the foursome of Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Wilfred Benitez and Marvelous Marvin Hagler compensated for the lack of boxing’s largest attraction with a sequence of high-profile matches. However within the meantime, the search was underway for somebody new, for the subsequent supremely proficient, but additionally marketable, star to take the place of Sugar Ray. And various thought he had been discovered when in 1985 Donald Curry established himself as a dominant and undefeated welterweight champion of the world.
It’s straightforward to overlook now that, for a time, Donald “The Cobra” Curry was extensively seen as Leonard’s pure successor, receiving as he did from many the appellation of one of the best boxer on the planet, pound-for-pound, superior even to Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Having vanquished the highest fighters within the 147 pound division, together with massive wins over Roger Stafford, Marlon Starling, Colin Jones and Milton McCrory, he had turn into a fixture on nationwide tv and it appeared solely a matter of time earlier than big superfights with Hearns or Hagler had been realized. Thus, his stoppage defeat to Lloyd Honeyghan in 1986 was a significant shock, one of the biggest upsets in boxing historical past.
In the meantime, Mike McCallum, aka “The Body Snatcher,” had quietly labored his approach up via the 154 pound weight class, successful the vacant WBA title from Sean Mannion in 1984 and defending it a number of instances, most notably with spectacular wins over Julian Jackson and McCrory. However few, if any, had been touting McCallum as one of many best possible within the sport, pound-for-pound. The Jamaican was extremely regarded by boxing insiders, however in any other case he was simply one other face within the crowd, one other belt-holder who had but to attract critical consideration or arouse a lot pleasure. That was about to vary.
Following the loss to Honeyghan, Curry turned his again on each a rematch and the welterweights, moved as much as the tremendous welterweights, and after a few tune-up wins, secured a shot at McCallum’s title. McCallum vs Curry was a superb match between high abilities, and an ideal crossroads battle, with each males’s careers on the road. The winner would go on to greater and higher issues; the loser must re-evaluate his profession. The oddsmakers, recalling Curry’s high-standing of not way back, tabbed “The Lone Star Cobra” as a two-to-one favourite.
And certainly, early on, it Curry regarded as sharp as ever. Transferring fluidly and throwing fast, correct punches, he managed the motion and landed the heavier blows. Specifically, a cobra-quick proper hand linked repeatedly in rounds two and three and put the champion on the defensive. After 4 rounds, regardless of a left eye that was swelling shut, Curry was forward on factors and appeared in command. McCallum, whereas aggressive, regarded uncomfortable, bothered by Curry’s pace.
Then got here the surprising, and one of many best one-punch knockouts in boxing historical past. A minute into spherical 5, Curry made a deadly mistake. Having thrown an ineffective mixture, he backed away, however along with his palms down, maybe anticipating a physique punch, however undoubtedly not anticipating the champion’s counter left hook, thrown with such velocity the momentum really lifted McCallum off his toes. The blow landed completely, flush on Curry’s jaw, and despatched him flat on his again, down and out.
The crossroads confrontation was determined by a single punch and Curry would by no means be the identical. Powerful losses from Michael Nunn and Terry Norris adopted, amongst others, earlier than he lastly retired. And that point when pundits and followers across the globe thought he was a positive wager to turn into an all-time nice was rapidly and conveniently forgotten.
In the meantime, McCallum would go on to battle for an additional ten years, establishing himself as among the best of all time. And it was most unfair, each to him and to boxing, that not one of the so-called “Four Kings” had the heart to take him on. Little doubt that devastating left hand which knocked Donald Curry out chilly had one thing to do with their trepidation. — Michael Carbert
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