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Weekly Commentary & Featured Stories
Honeyghan upsets Curry
By Steve Maguire
It happened 23 seconds into the second round. There was no warning. No one knew what had just occurred because it was over within a flash. Referee Octavian Meyran didn’t know, neither did those in attendance nor the Showtime audience, who had tuned in. Nobody that moment was privy to the fact that the prime of Donald Curry, had just ended. The Unified Welterweight Champion had just been hit with a straight right from challenger Lloyd Honeyghan. Curry would never be the same.
The scene was quite tranquil at Caesars Hotel and Casino in New Jersey on the night of September 27, 1986. There was for certain, no sense in the atmosphere of a potential upset in the main event for Donald Curry, was one of the best fighters on the planet. Back in December of 1985, The IBF and WBA Title holder ended all speculation concerning who was the #1 Welterweight with a dominating KO of WBC Champion Milton McCrory. Lloyd Honeyghan was supposed to be the last accolade at 147 pounds for Curry. Then the big fights would come at higher weights; Julian Jackson, John Mugabi and even Marvin Hagler. Everything however, changed in that second round, vs Honeyghan.
Lloyd Honeyghan, possessed a 27-0-0 record with 30 KO’s, going into the fight with Curry. Although he had fought in the States before, he was known only by insiders who gave him virtually no chance, of defeating Curry. His most noted wins had been against Harold Brazier (W 10) and Gianfranco Rosi (KO 3). There was talk prior to the fight of Curry struggling with his weight, having to drain himself getting down to 147 however, it ceased to be a major issue the night of the bout.
Honeyghan, 26 years old, out-hustled Curry to win a quite uneventful first round yet there was no concern in the corner of Curry, 25, who could be known as a slow starter. In the second round however, was Honeyghan made is mark in the fight, as well as in boxing history. Early in the round, Honeyghan threw a well timed, crisp right hand that hurt Curry. The champion attempted to clinch as Honeyghan threw him off, looking to take advantage of the situation. Seconds later, swelling could be seen underneath the left eye of Curry and his bottom lip, had developed a small cut. At the end of the round, the challenger landed four more sound punches. The fight was now Honeyghan’s, for the taking.
In rounds three and four, Honeyghan displayed an impressive jab. Any intimidation he might have had before the bout was for sure, now non-existent. Curry was having trouble setting up any kind of effective punches and for the first time, there was a hint of apprehensiveness, within his camp.
About 40 seconds into the fifth round, Honeyghan connected with an uppercut and for the second time in the fight, Curry was hurt. Three more rights followed and referee Meyran, began to take a close look. Curry’s mouth was now bleeding and worse, an accidental head clash in the sixth, had and produced a severe cut to Curry’s left eye.
One of the biggest upsets in the sport, was about to take place. During the intermission before the seventh round, Honeyghan was elated to find out the fight was stopped and that he had won the World Welterweight Undisputed Title. The eye of Curry’s, would require twenty stitches and he had a broken nose.
Few boxers of any era, had the kind of spectacular prime that Donald Curry. He would go on to have success at 154 pounds however, he would be no where near to what he was on that night of September 27, 1986….at least until 23 seconds into that second round.
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