38 years ago

Date: 6th December 1985

Title: WBC, WBA & IBF World Welterweight Titles

Promoter: Top Rank

Tv: HBO

Donald Curry
( 23 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 146¾ lbs

Milton McCrory
( 27 - 0 - 1 )
Weight: 146¾ lbs

On Friday, 6th December 1985, a significant boxing match took place at the Las Vegas Hilton between two unbeaten welterweight champions, Donald Curry and Milton McCrory. The fight was promoted by Top Rank and aired on HBO Sports. Both fighters held multiple titles; Curry held the WBA and IBF Welterweight titles, while McCrory was the WBC Welterweight titleholder. The winner of this bout would become the first Undisputed World Welterweight Champion since Sugar Ray Leonard's retirement in 1982.

The fight began with McCrory initiating a jab, to which Curry responded with three powerful rights. Curry soon became convinced that he could not lose, feeling stronger and faster than his opponent. Tensions had been high leading up to the bout, with Curry vowing to make McCrory pay after a face-off during the Hagler vs. Hearns fight.

In the second round, at the 1:24 mark, Curry unleashed a devastating left hook, sending McCrory to the canvas. As referee Mills Lane counted, McCrory struggled to regain his footing. He managed to rise at the count of five, only to slip back down to his left knee and finally rise again at seven. Lane asked McCrory if he was okay, later stating that McCrory's vision was clear, and his eyes were focusing.

However, McCrory's recovery was short-lived. At 1:53 in the second round, Donald Curry defeated Milton McCrory by knockout. Mills Lane, the referee, confirmed the victory for Curry. This result led to Curry being named the 1985 Knockout of the Year by KO Magazine.

Both fighters received equal earnings of $750,000 for their participation in the match. Curry was a 4-1 favorite, and his victory over McCrory solidified his status as the Undisputed World Welterweight Champion.