Ray Leonard vs Donald Curry

[mr. magoo]

Well,

Somehow the 80's managed to slip past us without this matchup ever occuring. It's rather Ironic when you think about it, that we had fights like Leonard-Hearns, Leonard-Duran, Leonard-Hagler, Hagler-Hearns, Hagler-Duran, and Duran-Hearns, but never Donald Curry vs any of those guys.

I wouldn't be surprised if this thread was started by someone else in the past, and if it was, then I appologize. As long as we're here though, what are your guy's thoughts on a fantasy matchup between Curry and Leonard, or for that matter, Curry against any of the other greats of the 80's?

-Magoo-

[achillesthegreat]

Had Leonard stayed active he would have fought Curry after Stafford and Pryor.

Curry had similar talent but his tools and intangiables were not on the same level as Leonards.

[Duodenum]

Ray could be a killer to the body as well as the head. Curry didn't have the firepower to dent Ray's chin. Nor could his chin have withstood SRL's power. From late 1982, until his upset loss to Lloyd Honeyghan in late 1986, Curry was considered by many to have been the best P4P boxer in the world, but ultimately, he was not an ATG like Leonard. Even during Donald's title run, Jun Suk Hwang dropped him, demonstrating that even at his peak, Curry's chin could be dented. SRL takes this one late, if it's peak for peak, but I wouldn't be surprised if Leonard ends it earlier.

[Street Lethal]

I wouldn't bet against Leonard.

[heerko koois]

Ray could be a killer to the body as well as the head. Curry didn't have the firepower to dent Ray's chin. Nor could his chin have withstood SRL's power. From late 1982, until his upset loss to Lloyd Honeyghan in late 1986, Curry was considered by many to have been the best P4P boxer in the world, but ultimately, he was not an ATG like Leonard. Even during Donald's title run, Jun Suk Hwang dropped him, demonstrating that even at his peak, Curry's chin could be dented. SRL takes this one late, if it's peak for peak, but I wouldn't be surprised if Leonard ends it earlier.


Curry did have plenty of "firepower" to stop SRL inside 12 rounds......
My pick would be Curry by late round tko ......:p

[unitas]

leonards flashier style would let him win a UD............but curry would threaten till the end.

[Duodenum]

Curry did have plenty of "firepower" to stop SRL inside 12 rounds......
My pick would be Curry by late round tko ......:pNow you're simply trying to be the sort of Devil's advocate provocateur that only Froggy with the Funny Eyes can carry off well enough to get under people's skins! Nobody was ever able to drop SRL at WW, not Hearns or Duran. Ray wasn't decked until his miserable first comeback showing against Kevin Howard. How do you rationalize that a boxer who had to go the distance with Adolfo Viruet, Jun Suk Hwang, and Marlon Starling twice, without scoring any knockdowns, is going to be able to take out an opponent with 15th round and 14th round kayo wins against peaking ATG's Benitez and Hearns?

[Nemesis]

Ray could be a killer to the body as well as the head. Curry didn't have the firepower to dent Ray's chin. Nor could his chin have withstood SRL's power. From late 1982, until his upset loss to Lloyd Honeyghan in late 1986, Curry was considered by many to have been the best P4P boxer in the world, but ultimately, he was not an ATG like Leonard. Even during Donald's title run, Jun Suk Hwang dropped him, demonstrating that even at his peak, Curry's chin could be dented. SRL takes this one late, if it's peak for peak, but I wouldn't be surprised if Leonard ends it earlier.
I agree with 99% of the things you say, but this falls in that 1% :D

[Mantequilla]

Now you're simply trying to be the sort of Devil's advocate provocateur that only Froggy with the Funny Eyes can carry off well enough to get under people's skins! Nobody was ever able to drop SRL at WW, not Hearns or Duran. Ray wasn't decked until his miserable first comeback showing against Kevin Howard. How do you rationalize that a boxer who had to go the distance with Adolfo Viruet, Jun Suk Hwang, and Marlon Starling twice, without scoring any knockdowns, is going to be able to take out an opponent with 15th round and 14th round kayo wins against peaking ATG's Benitez and Hearns?

I agree that Curry isn't going to hurt Leonard that much, but to be fair i think Marlon Starling was even harder to hurt than Ray.

[Duodenum]

I agree with 99% of the things you say, but this falls in that 1% :DSo you agree with Hearns, that Ray's bodyshots late against Tommy in their first match (which although in Hearns's own words were, "good, hard, clean bodyshots"), did not have a significant effect in slowing Hearns down, as Tommy emphatically claimed they didn't?

(By the way, anytime someone says they agree with me about ANYTHING, I start to get very scared, and then begin to lose sleep! I'm far too gleefully irresponsible to shoulder the pressures of such burdens!)

[Duodenum]

I agree that Curry isn't going to hurt Leonard that much, but to be fair i think Marlon Starling was even harder to hurt than Ray.That may very well be true. (Did Starling sustain an official KD in his career? I can't find any evidence that the Magic Man ever was.)

[Nemesis]

So you agree with Hearns, that Ray's bodyshots late against Tommy in their first match (which although in Hearns's own words were, "good, hard, clean bodyshots"), did not have a significant effect in slowing Hearns down, as Tommy emphatically claimed they didn't?

(By the way, anytime someone says they agree with me about ANYTHING, I start to get very scared, and then begin to lose sleep! I'm far too gleefully irresponsible to shoulder the pressures of such burdens!)

I wasnt privy to that interview, to be honest, but when watching Leonard in retrospect, i noticed that his dazzling fusilade of punches would be more flurry than in combination, thus less substance behind the shots landed. He always seemed more of a headhunter, than somebody who would work the body first. I always thought that (bodypunching) was one the major differences between Robinson and Leonard, in that Robinson would go in overtime to bang away to the body, where as Leonard would only use it sparingly

[Duodenum]

I wasnt privy to that interview, to be honest, but when watching Leonard in retrospect, i noticed that his dazzling fusilade of punches would be more flurry than in combination, thus less substance behind the shots landed. He always seemed more of a headhunter, than somebody who would work the body first. I always thought that (bodypunching) was one the major differences between Robinson and Leonard, in that Robinson would go in overtime to bang away to the body, where as Leonard would only use it sparinglyHe couldn't use a body attack against Duran, because of the way Roberto slanted his body. Bodyshots are frequently colorless punches, unless they do significant damage, or are delivered from outside (where everybody can see them). The interview is one thing, but footage of SRL's actual body attack on Tommy is something else. (I'd have to review the footage to rediscover when Ray went downstairs.)

Incidentally the most flamboyant showboating punch of Leonard's career may have been a bodyshot; specifically, his wind-up bolo punch to Hagler's breadbasket, which gave many the impression Ray was in complete command of that match (whether or not he actually was).

[heerko koois]

Now you're simply trying to be the sort of Devil's advocate provocateur that only Froggy with the Funny Eyes can carry off well enough to get under people's skins! Nobody was ever able to drop SRL at WW, not Hearns or Duran. Ray wasn't decked until his miserable first comeback showing against Kevin Howard. How do you rationalize that a boxer who had to go the distance with Adolfo Viruet, Jun Suk Hwang, and Marlon Starling twice, without scoring any knockdowns, is going to be able to take out an opponent with 15th round and 14th round kayo wins against peaking ATG's Benitez and Hearns?

SRL and Hearns didn,t wanna fight Curry .....easy to explain , lots of risk for "small"money ...

[heerko koois]

:? So he could take what Hagler, Duran, and even Hearns threw at him but not Curry? Come on dude, your love for this guy doesn't even make sense. Leonard by UD at least.

[mr. magoo]

SRL and Hearns didn,t wanna fight Curry .....easy to explain , lots of risk for "small"money ...

I'm not exactly sure why Curry never met some of those other guys, but I doubt that it was because of a small paycheck. I think a lot of people would have given their left testicle to see him fight Hearns or Leonard.

[heerko koois]

I'm not exactly sure why Curry never met some of those other guys, but I doubt that it was because of a small paycheck. I think a lot of people would have given their left testicle to see him fight Hearns or Leonard.

Curry wanted to fight all big names [ Hearns , Duran , Hagler , SRL , Benitez ...] but they did not have any motivation to box him in 1985 or 86 ....after the Honeyghan fight all was lost anyway....

[mr. magoo]

after the Honeyghan fight all was lost anyway....


Not really.

Folllowing the Honeyghan loss, Curry moved up to Jr. Middleweight and won another world title. What's more, most of the big names were in the middle division's, as Leonard and Hearns were no longer fighting at welterweight anyway...

[Titan1]

Ray takes this fight either on tight decision, because he wasn't the best defensive fighter in the world, or mid-to-late round stoppage.Curry is damn good, but no Ray Charles Leonard.

[Robbi]

Curry wanted to fight all big names [ Hearns , Duran , Hagler , SRL , Benitez ...] but they did not have any motivation to box him in 1985 or 86 ....after the Honeyghan fight all was lost anyway....

Where is your evidence?

[Cobra33]

Actually as most of you know I'm a huge Hearns fan but I really think Manny Steward wouldn't have taken a bout with Curry.

[JohnThomas1]

SRL and Hearns didn,t wanna fight Curry .....easy to explain , lots of risk for "small"money ...

I can explain it even easier. SRL retired before Curry came on and Curry was a spent force by the time he fought Hagler. Hearns? Curry would have had to fight him at 154, and while flapping the gums a bit about fighting Hearns never seemed to get there. It's often said how Curry stayed at 147 too long and had struggled to make the weight for a while. Funny thing, Hearns was the champ there from 82 all the way till 86 ;)

[JohnThomas1]

Actually as most of you know I'm a huge Hearns fan but I really think Manny Steward wouldn't have taken a bout with Curry.

You've simply got to be kidding me. By the time Curry really put him name up with the stars Hearns had been beaten by Hagler and was actively seeking a rematch, actually earned it in an eliminator but SRL jumped the queue. Curry was still 13 pounds lower and was mopped up by Honeyghan at the exact time a Hearns match could have been made. Hearns had just eased back to 154 and hammered Medal, but 3 months later Curry was stopped. No way on earth would Hearns be worried about fighting Curry. Unlike his good to excellent opponents at 147, Hearn's would have had no problem getting his shots in and testing the infamous Curry family chin.

I'm a huge fan of Don, and think that one loss destroyed him, but lets not go silly. He'd be a tough fight for near anyone, and beat most, but not Hearn's and SRL. SRL possesses just a little more of everything, and would stop Curry late IMO.

[Olu G. Rotimi]

I am and was a big big Don Curry. No one needs to preach to me about the formidable skills and attributes he possessed and displayed until the Honeyghan fight. However as much I dislike SRL and believe me I really do I think it is in the category of the intangibles that SRL would defeat Curry.

[Robbi]

I can explain it even easier. SRL retired before Curry came on and Curry was a spent force by the time he fought Hagler. Hearns? Curry would have had to fight him at 154, and while flapping the gums a bit about fighting Hearns never seemed to get there. It's often said how Curry stayed at 147 too long and had struggled to make the weight for a while. Funny thing, Hearns was the champ there from 82 all the way till 86 ;)

JT. Did you know that pride was part of the reason Curry got his ass handed to him by Honeyghan. He liked being one of only two undisupted champions in boxing at the time, the other was Hagler of course. His manager, Dave Gorman, insisted he move up to 154lbs after he beat McCrory. Struggling to make weight for so long caught up with him. He was stubborn, to put it mildly.

[JohnThomas1]

JT. Did you know that pride was part of the reason Curry got his ass handed to him by Honeyghan. He liked being one of only two undisupted champions in boxing at the time, the other was Hagler of course. His manager, Dave Gorman, insisted he move up to 154lbs after he beat McCrory. Struggling to make weight for so long caught up with him. He was stubborn, to put it mildly.

I know the weight drain thing Robbi, i also give Honeyghan a bit of credit for being wayyyyy better than thought. Agree it was a depleted Cobra tho.

[Robbi]

I know the weight drain thing Robbi, i also give Honeyghan a bit of credit for being wayyyyy better than thought. Agree it was a depleted Cobra tho.

Curry was struggling with making 147lbs as far back as 1982. Four years before he lost to Honeyghan.

Curry balloned up to 168 between his fights with Rodriguez and Honeyghan, and was 158lbs a week before he squared off against Honeyghan.


Manager, Gorman, advised Curry to move up to 154lbs, he stubbornly refused. "I like being one of only two undisupted champions" he said "I don't want to give up my title after winning it".


On Curry changing his training camp to New Orleans. Goram said, "When a guy is trying to make weight he should be working in a dry climate, not a humid one. Humidity saps too much strength. And besides all that, fighters are creatures of habit. Change isn't always good".

[JohnThomas1]

Curry was struggling with making 147lbs as far back as 1982. Four years before he lost to Honeyghan.

Curry balloned up to 168 between his fights with Rodriguez and Honeyghan, and was 158lbs a week before he squared off against Honeyghan.


Manager, Gorman, advised Curry to move up to 154lbs, he stubbornly refused. "I like being one of only two undisupted champions" he said "I don't want to give up my title after winning it".


On Curry changing his training camp to New Orleans. Goram said, "When a guy is trying to make weight he should be working in a dry climate, not a humid one. Humidity saps too much strength. And besides all that, fighters are creatures of habit. Change isn't always good".

Good comments, i agree he struggled. I still don't see him beating a Leonard or Hearns tho. The thing is, Donald ended up being one of these fighters that is never quite the same ever again after a single loss. I'd go close to putting Meldrick Taylor in the same basket. George Foreman was similar. Different is a Hearns, Duran, Leonard, guys that can come back near as good as ever or even better.

[jyuza]

Good comments, i agree he struggled. I still don't see him beating a Leonard or Hearns tho. The thing is, Donald ended up being one of these fighters that is never quite the same ever again after a single loss. I'd go close to putting Meldrick Taylor in the same basket. George Foreman was similar. Different is a Hearns, Duran, Leonard, guys that can come back near as good as ever or even better.

Agreed.

[Robbi]

Good comments, i agree he struggled. I still don't see him beating a Leonard or Hearns tho. The thing is, Donald ended up being one of these fighters that is never quite the same ever again after a single loss. I'd go close to putting Meldrick Taylor in the same basket. George Foreman was similar. Different is a Hearns, Duran, Leonard, guys that can come back near as good as ever or even better.

Vargas was ruined from the demolition at the hands of Trinidad. Taylor and Vargas were destroyed mentally and physically. They were never the same again due to long hard gruelling fights, weight not being a problem. Many fighters careers went downhill after Chavez and Trinidad got a hold of them.

Curry's case was a slightly different scenario. Two things ultimatley led to his defeat. Weight problems and the class of Honeyghan. Curry almost went down from a right hand, and he was behind on points at the time of the stoppage. But he never took heavy artillery during every round. He was getting outscored, more than destroyed. His corners decision to pull him out of the fight was down to a number of reasons. Bad cut over the eye, behind on points, being outclassed, and they seen he simply "never had it on the night".

[George W Hedge]

Curry didnt have the chin to tackle ray leonard imo.

Probably not the skills either.

:good

[Thread Stealer]

From an interview with Donald Curry:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

FB: I’ve heard you were having problems making 147 lbs after you won the title. There’s a rumor floating around that Sugar Ray Leonard or Mike Trainer advised you to remain at welter for the Lloyd Honeyghan fight. Is that true or false?

DC: Well, I really don’t like to go back on certain things. I try to forget how that all played out. I’ll say this; Ray is who he is and whatever, whatever.

FB: So you have no animosity towards Leonard or anybody?

DC: It’s too late now. If I did, it wouldn’t do me any good (laughs). I don’t hold a grudge and I like to turn that type of negative energy into a positive, to get good things out of it.

[buzzsaw]

At 147 Curry had 11 bouts from when he won the title to his loss to Lloyd Honeyghan. In those contest out of 10 wins 8 of them were by KO. Curry didn’t give his opponents lots of movement he was a very patient boxer with a very tight defense and when the opportunity presented itself he would strike with shots that cracked. His KO record during his reign is evidence of his power. From 83 to 86 he was the best welter there was, ask Milton. If Ray would have come back and faced Curry during this time period then he would have lost. Now on the other hand if we are comparing a “Peak” Leonard vs. a “Peak” Curry, Ray wins every time. The McCallum that KOd Curry in 1987 was one of the greatest jr middles ever.

[heerko koois]

:good From an interview with Donald Curry:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

FB: I’ve heard you were having problems making 147 lbs after you won the title. There’s a rumor floating around that Sugar Ray Leonard or Mike Trainer advised you to remain at welter for the Lloyd Honeyghan fight. Is that true or false?

DC: Well, I really don’t like to go back on certain things. I try to forget how that all played out. I’ll say this; Ray is who he is and whatever, whatever.

FB: So you have no animosity towards Leonard or anybody?

DC: It’s too late now. If I did, it wouldn’t do me any good (laughs). I don’t hold a grudge and I like to turn that type of negative energy into a positive, to get good things out of it.

[JohnThomas1]

From an interview with Donald Curry:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

FB: I’ve heard you were having problems making 147 lbs after you won the title. There’s a rumor floating around that Sugar Ray Leonard or Mike Trainer advised you to remain at welter for the Lloyd Honeyghan fight. Is that true or false?

DC: Well, I really don’t like to go back on certain things. I try to forget how that all played out. I’ll say this; Ray is who he is and whatever, whatever.

FB: So you have no animosity towards Leonard or anybody?

DC: It’s too late now. If I did, it wouldn’t do me any good (laughs). I don’t hold a grudge and I like to turn that type of negative energy into a positive, to get good things out of it.

Question time

Would you say SRL and Trainer advised Curry to fight Lloyd at this weight

A. As they were looking at a Curry - SRL match at the time

B. They wanted to ruin his career.

C. Neither

[buzzsaw]

I have always belived Sugar Ray was more viscious as a business man then he was in the ring as a fighter. I believe they were suggesting what ever would benefit Ray.

[heerko koois]

Question time

Would you say SRL and Trainer advised Curry to fight Lloyd at this weight

A. As they were looking at a Curry - SRL match at the time

B. They wanted to ruin his career.

C. Neither

I go for C............:rasta

[Robbi]

Question time

Would you say SRL and Trainer advised Curry to fight Lloyd at this weight

A. As they were looking at a Curry - SRL match at the time

B. They wanted to ruin his career.

C. Neither


"Based on everything I had seen prior to the fight, I can honestly say the loss wasn't a total surprise" Says Dave Goran, Curry's manager. "But even so I still felt he'd win"

Also two weeks before the Honeyghan fight, Curry stated to his advisor it would be best get a fight at junior middleweight and call the fight with Honeyghan off as he felt he could not make the weight. His adviser stated "Donald, I think you have the professional obligation to go ahead and make the weight and fight".

He was advised by manager Goram, and three over camp associates to move to 154lbs after his fight with Rodriquez, and he stubbornly refused stating "I liked being one of only two undisputed champions" he said "I don't want to give up my title after winning it".

Curry also felt six months without a scheduled fight and six months out of the gym hurt him. "I think the long lay off hurt me" Curry admitted "Its the reason I went up to 168. I should have stayed busy".

Gorman was not with Curry until three days before the fight, as Curry asked him not to come to training camp because they had an on going contract problem together.

Goram also stated "Everything done in training camp was different" and the manager adds "I didn't think he had enough carbohydrates in his diet. And I know he didn't take any potassium tablets. Those are simple things I never overlooked.

[castle]

When Honeygan fought Curry , in the round Honeygan KO Curry as soon as the bell rang honeygan caught Curry by surprise by running over to Currys corner and punching him as Curry was getting of his stool

[JohnThomas1]

"Based on everything I had seen prior to the fight, I can honestly say the loss wasn't a total surprise" Says Dave Goran, Curry's manager. "But even so I still felt he'd win"

Also two weeks before the Honeyghan fight, Curry stated to his advisor it would be best get a fight at junior middleweight and call the fight with Honeyghan off as he felt he could not make the weight. His adviser stated "Donald, I think you have the professional obligation to go ahead and make the weight and fight".

He was advised by manager Goram, and three over camp associates to move to 154lbs after his fight with Rodriquez, and he stubbornly refused stating "I liked being one of only two undisputed champions" he said "I don't want to give up my title after winning it".

Curry also felt six months without a scheduled fight and six months out of the gym hurt him. "I think the long lay off hurt me" Curry admitted "Its the reason I went up to 168. I should have stayed busy".

Gorman was not with Curry until three days before the fight, as Curry asked him not to come to training camp because they had an on going contract problem together.

Goram also stated "Everything done in training camp was different" and the manager adds "I didn't think he had enough carbohydrates in his diet. And I know he didn't take any potassium tablets. Those are simple things I never overlooked.

At the end of the day Donald has nobody to blame but himself. Tyson is in the same boat. Pryor too.

[redrooster]

1982, Leonard wins. 1985, Curry wins. 1986, Honeyghan beats them both. It's that simple.

[redrooster]

Question time

Would you say SRL and Trainer advised Curry to fight Lloyd at this weight

A. As they were looking at a Curry - SRL match at the time

B. They wanted to ruin his career.

C. Neither

C. Neither. Trainer wanted Donald out of the way of a Hagler match because Hagler was ready to be taken and wanted Leonard to be first in line.

[JohnThomas1]

C. Neither. Trainer wanted Donald out of the way of a Hagler match because Hagler was ready to be taken and wanted Leonard to be first in line.

Yeah, they feared Curry would beat Hagler

:rofl

[redrooster]

Yeah, they feared Curry would beat Hagler

:rofl

That's the one choice you left out and the best answer. :smoke

[JohnThomas1]

That's the one choice you left out and the best answer. :smoke

You're wearing those sunnies because it's Mary Jane in that cig right. Face all red and stuff

:lol:

[Robbi]

1982, Leonard wins. 1985, Curry wins. 1986, Honeyghan beats them both. It's that simple.


Honeyghan beats Leonard?. You must be having a laugh.


:rasta

[redrooster]

Honeyghan beats Leonard?. You must be having a laugh.


:rasta

I stick by what I said. Lloyd was one of the strongest welters I've ever seen-even stronger than Basilio or Napoles. he was all muscle and he had leverage that wouldn't quit. And he was fearless and hungry.

Ray was a good technician but he'd get hurt early by Honeyghan-there's no doubt about that. He wouldn't be able to avoid his attack for very long so I ask myself: How would Ray survive?

[Luigi1985]

I stick by what I said. Lloyd was one of the strongest welters I've ever seen-even stronger than Basilio or Napoles. he was all muscle and he had leverage that wouldn't quit. And he was fearless and hungry.

Ray was a good technician but he'd get hurt early by Honeyghan-there's no doubt about that. He wouldn't be able to avoid his attack for very long so I ask myself: How would Ray survive?




:lol:

[mr. magoo]

Ray was a good technician but he'd get hurt early by Honeyghan-there's no doubt about that. He wouldn't be able to avoid his attack for very long so I ask myself: How would Ray survive?


Rather simply actually. Ray survived far better punchers, and at higher weight classes. What's more, Honeyghan was outboxed and eventually stopped by Marlon Starling, who was not as good of a technician as Leonard. I don't see much of a case being made for Loyd taking this one.....

[Luigi1985]

Rather simply actually. Ray survived far better punchers, and at higher weight classes. What's more, Honeyghan was outboxed and eventually stopped by Marlon Starling, who was not as good of a technician as Leonard. I don't see much of a case being made for Loyd taking this one.....


Exactly!

[TBooze]

I once did a what if... Leonard had not retired in 1982? I had Leonard winning a controversial 15 round decision in a early 1983 fight (Leonard's first post Finch), then winning a more convincing decision in a mid 84 rematch.

[TBooze]

As for why it did not happen; well Leonard did retire with a legitmate eye injury in 82; looked terrible in a 84 comeback and by 87 Curry was damaged goods.

I do remember whispers of a possible Curry/Hagler match up post Mugabi, and to be honest at the time I fought Curry would of had a great chance:nut, then the Raggamuffinman came along...

[JohnThomas1]

Honeyghan beats Leonard?. You must be having a laugh.


:rasta

Hey, he readily picks guys like Roldan over Monzon too

:lol:

[Xplosive]

I stick by what I said. Lloyd was one of the strongest welters I've ever seen-even stronger than Basilio or Napoles. he was all muscle and he had leverage that wouldn't quit. And he was fearless and hungry.

Ray was a good technician but he'd get hurt early by Honeyghan-there's no doubt about that. He wouldn't be able to avoid his attack for very long so I ask myself: How would Ray survive?

A prime Leonard would have beaten the living shit outta Honeyghan, and stopped him within 8.

[natonic]

Curry was a great technician and this could have been an incredible display of skill similar to Leonard - Benitez. But at some point it would have turned into a fight and Leonard just had a lot more in the areas of determination, killer instinct, etc. Curry generally kept his hands pretty high and I think Leonard would have got some mileage out of the left hook to the body. Leonard by late stoppage.

Leonard would have owned Honeyghan at any point in his career.

[ThinBlack]

Ray takes this fight on an 11th round stoppage.Jun-Sok Hwang got to Curry, putting him on the canvas, and if Ray tags him, and he will at some point, it's over for Donald.

[Stevie G]

Had Leonard stayed active he would have fought Curry after Stafford and Pryor.

Curry had similar talent but his tools and intangiables were not on the same level as Leonards.
True. Leonard would always have beaten Curry. In a prime for prime scenario,it would have been very one sided.

[Cobra33]

Ok heres how this went down: At one point in time there was serious talk of Curry moving up from welter straight to middle to challenge Hagler.Think about it:TWO UNDISPUTED Champions facing eachother.Curry who looked devestating against MCcroy against Hagler who was nearing the end of his great career-it was the biggest fight to be made at that time in boxing AND a huge possible roadblock for a Hagler-Leonard bout.Keep in mind that at this time Curry and Hagler were considered the Two best pound for pound boxers in the WORLD.
In comes Mike Trainer who all of the sudden wants to be Curry's advisor.Now its a known fact that Curry is having trouble making welter(huge trouble) so what does Trainer do?He advises Curry not to leave welter.And guess who introduced Curry to Trainer?LEONARD.
Heres the thing.For whatever reason Curry was never the same after Honeyghan.Anyone who followed Curry knows this.If he faces MCcallum after he faced Mccroy he beats Mccallum hands down-you saw what a damaged Curry was doing to MCCallum prior to losing and believe me that was Curry FAR from his best.
Prime for Prime Leonard beats Curry although it would not have been easy but 1985/1986 Curry takes Leonard.
Anyone who ever has met Leonard knows that Leonard is an ass but at the same time he is very smart in the business end of boxing.Curry got suckered into thinking Ray was trying to look out for him and thats Curry's fault for not listening to his people(Gorman)
And before everyone gets in an uproar do one thing:Listen to Leonard's commentary during the Mccallum/Curry bout and listen to how upset Leonard sounds when Curry was having success against Mccallum.

[MRBILL]

It would've been huge in 1985....... Curry of '85 beats a comebacking Leonard of '85 at 147 pounds......

Oddly though, a 1987 SRL at 158 pounds knocks out Curry of that same era and time......

1987 Leonard who decisioned Hagler by a hair at 158 pounds would be too much for the 1987 Curry who was doing well against McCallum early on at 154 until he got caught and stopped from a wicked-ass hook launched by Mike.....

MR.BILL

[DaveK]

Leonard's movement and general speed is what does it... Curry definitely has the power to keep any ww honest, but his undoing is Ray's constant movement.

[zadfrak]

I sure do like the corner of Leonard w/ Dundee to get the results over Curry and Gorman.