41 years ago
Donald Curry vs Jun Suk Hwang
Date: 13th February 1983
Venue: Tarrant Co Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USATitle: vacant WBA World Welterweight Title
Promoter: Top Rank
Tv: ESPN
Donald Curry
(
15
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 146 1/4 lbs
Jun Suk Hwang
(
21
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 147 lbs
In a battle of undefeated contenders, Curry and Hwang contested the WBA World Welterweight Title left vacant by the retirement of Sugar Ray Leonard due to a detached retina. Curry (15-0-0) and the WBA's No 1 contender was a big favourite going into the fight but Hwang (21-0-0), and the WBA ranked No 3 contender came to win.
Hwang dropped Curry to his knees in the 7th round with a right uppercut, and it took the 21-year-old Texan some time to shake off the effects of the first knockdown of his professional career.
That was Hwang's last chance of becoming world champion on this night as Curry used a rapier-like jab and some lightning-fast combinations to build a big lead by the time the 12th and final bell rang.
Scores: Roberto Ramirez Sr 146-139 | Harmodio Cedeno 148-140 | Ismael Wiso Fernandez 146-139.