Who would have prevailed if a Prime Curry fought Ray Leonard at Welter.
I'd pick Ray by late TKO, with a close fight up until the end. I know during th early 80's and mid 80's this was possibly the greatest dream matchup of that era
Curry V Leonard
In the late 80's about 1988. Leonard was giving Curry advice, and told him to stay at 154 rather than move to 160.
Curry beleived that it was a ploy so that they wouldnt meet. He said something along the lines of "He (Leonard) kills you with that smile, but he's a dirty sucker"
Curry, who never got a fight with Leonard, was something of a hypocryte, insofar as when he was champ for the second time at 154, he adivised his no1 contender (for over 2 yrs) John Mugabi to move to 160.
Mugabi was Curry's mandatory at 154 for over 2 yrs!
Curry never gave him a shot. Mugbai was also Hearns mandatory for nearly 2 yrs, and never got a shot.
These seemingly great fighters are not as fearless as they seem.
Anyway, back to the subject.
Leonard v Curry at 147
Leonard 1980
Curry 1985
Curry on points.
Curry beleived that it was a ploy so that they wouldnt meet. He said something along the lines of "He (Leonard) kills you with that smile, but he's a dirty sucker"
Curry, who never got a fight with Leonard, was something of a hypocryte, insofar as when he was champ for the second time at 154, he adivised his no1 contender (for over 2 yrs) John Mugabi to move to 160.
Mugabi was Curry's mandatory at 154 for over 2 yrs!
Curry never gave him a shot. Mugbai was also Hearns mandatory for nearly 2 yrs, and never got a shot.
These seemingly great fighters are not as fearless as they seem.
Anyway, back to the subject.
Leonard v Curry at 147
Leonard 1980
Curry 1985
Curry on points.
KO Artist
Interesting insider knowledge, thanks for sharing. Ray was certainly a very crafty guy. His competitive nature has never abated even in retirement.
Curry looked the total package in 1985 but calls for him to move up to middle were premature in my mind. I can't see that he would have beaten Hagler.
Curry had a great counter punching style, fast hands, air tight defence, and 2 fisted power. he beat opponents to the punch and delivered vicious combos but I can't see the match up with Ray being a good one for him. Ray hit just as hard, had quicker hands and reflexes and much quicker feet. I see Ray going in and out with Curry having the chance to really set himself. The Ring had Ray winnign 10-5 or 9-6 back in the 1980s. I think Ray wins by late KO.
Interesting insider knowledge, thanks for sharing. Ray was certainly a very crafty guy. His competitive nature has never abated even in retirement.
Curry looked the total package in 1985 but calls for him to move up to middle were premature in my mind. I can't see that he would have beaten Hagler.
Curry had a great counter punching style, fast hands, air tight defence, and 2 fisted power. he beat opponents to the punch and delivered vicious combos but I can't see the match up with Ray being a good one for him. Ray hit just as hard, had quicker hands and reflexes and much quicker feet. I see Ray going in and out with Curry having the chance to really set himself. The Ring had Ray winnign 10-5 or 9-6 back in the 1980s. I think Ray wins by late KO.
I have to admit, I haven't seen much of Curry. I saw clips of him mainly, but did see him lose to Honeygan. He was not impressive in that fight obviously. I just think Ray would find that way to win, he could beat all types of fighters and styles and he had real championship heart. When the 'chips' were down, he dug deep and delivered. I see him being too fast and strong at Welter and what a finisher Ray was. The moment he nails Curry hard, it's game over
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The Great John L
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 26 Jul 2005, 19:37
Yeah Honeygan handled him VERY easily when Curry was 25, which would probably be cnsidered his peak. Bad match of styles for Curry? You bet, but Leonard could fight many styles and would probably would have handled the Lone Star Cobra pretty easily. I woul say mid or late round stoppage.walshb wrote:I have to admit, I haven't seen much of Curry. I saw clips of him mainly, but did see him lose to Honeygan. He was not impressive in that fight obviously. I just think Ray would find that way to win, he could beat all types of fighters and styles and he had real championship heart. When the 'chips' were down, he dug deep and delivered. I see him being too fast and strong at Welter and what a finisher Ray was. The moment he nails Curry hard, it's game over
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Petu v.d. Pajm
- Editor
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- Joined: 07 Jan 2004, 09:50
Curry killed himself to make welterweight for not only Honeyghan-fight, but even for few earlier defences. That kind of a malnutrition can take away one's physical prime very young indeed. And Curry sure NEVER looked as sharp again as in his 1983-1985 fights so he had short & early prime.
OTOH, one thing which made him special for that reasonably short period was the very fact that he was not only a crafty boxer with a good height reach, but additionally an immensely strong one for a welterweight.
He capitalised on being bigger than opposition by using very advanced weight losing methods and at the same time burnt up and eroded his physical skills quick&early.
Welterweight Leonard loved a fight much more than older, heavier version so I expect him to let Curry to make it a battle of will, power and strength. Due their differences of styles I see Curry more likely to hurt and floor SRL than other way around (BOTH had obviously devastating punching power as welters).
But in the end, Leonard did prevail and thrive in so many TOUGH TOUGH fights that I nevertheless he would overwill Curry who never won a fight which went to the ultimate line of utter personal limits. Leonard shouldn't win this fight, but he would.
OTOH, one thing which made him special for that reasonably short period was the very fact that he was not only a crafty boxer with a good height reach, but additionally an immensely strong one for a welterweight.
He capitalised on being bigger than opposition by using very advanced weight losing methods and at the same time burnt up and eroded his physical skills quick&early.
Welterweight Leonard loved a fight much more than older, heavier version so I expect him to let Curry to make it a battle of will, power and strength. Due their differences of styles I see Curry more likely to hurt and floor SRL than other way around (BOTH had obviously devastating punching power as welters).
But in the end, Leonard did prevail and thrive in so many TOUGH TOUGH fights that I nevertheless he would overwill Curry who never won a fight which went to the ultimate line of utter personal limits. Leonard shouldn't win this fight, but he would.
Petu
Your knowledge on weight loss is very interesting. Certain fighters always looked big at their weight and others not so much. Benn always looked a small fighter. Eubank always seemed much bigger than all of his opponents, especially Benn. Mclellan and Collins also looked much bigger in the ring.
Hagler was another who always seemed to be a bigger man than his opponents. watch his fight with Minter, Sibson, Hamsho, all full middles... Marvin looks a much bigger man (a super-Mid versus Mids).
Pedroza was another who always seemed much bigger than his opponents.
Your knowledge on weight loss is very interesting. Certain fighters always looked big at their weight and others not so much. Benn always looked a small fighter. Eubank always seemed much bigger than all of his opponents, especially Benn. Mclellan and Collins also looked much bigger in the ring.
Hagler was another who always seemed to be a bigger man than his opponents. watch his fight with Minter, Sibson, Hamsho, all full middles... Marvin looks a much bigger man (a super-Mid versus Mids).
Pedroza was another who always seemed much bigger than his opponents.
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Ambling Alp
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 3627
- Joined: 15 Jul 2005, 22:31
Sugar Ray by late round stoppage.Curry's skills would definitely give Ray problems, but Ray would take him to the later rounds and destroy him.Ambling Alp wrote:Leonard would walk over him. He was faster, a better boxer, harder puncher, had a better chin, everything. These are two completely different levels of fighters. Curry was nothing special. Leonard in 6 or 7 rounds.