In the golden era of the late 70s and early 80s, professional boxing experienced a remarkable revival, captivating American sports enthusiasts. Icons like Hearns, Hagler, Mancini, Duran, Arguello, and Holmes became household names, gracing the covers of Sports Illustrated and drawing massive audiences on national television. Among these legends, Sugar Ray Leonard shone the brightest. The Olympic hero and victor over Duran and Hearns was the undisputed welterweight champion, a network television darling with a radiant smile and lucrative endorsements. However, the boxing world was stunned when Leonard, at just 26, announced his retirement due to a detached retina.
Following Leonard’s departure, the WBC and WBA declared their 147-pound titles vacant. The WBA set a match between Donald Curry and Jun-Suk Hwang, while the WBC pitted Detroit’s Milton “Ice Man” McCrory against Colin “The Punch” Jones from Wales. Curry easily defeated Hwang, but the McCrory vs Jones bout was a different story. This clash between a tall, lanky boxer and a powerful puncher from Wales failed to generate much excitement, despite being broadcast on national television. McCrory, trained by Emanuel Steward at the renowned Kronk Gym, was seen as a less formidable version of “Hit Man” Hearns. Although McCrory had a string of stoppage wins, his recent bouts against Pete Ranzany and Roger Stafford ended in decisions, casting doubt on his power.
The McCrory vs Jones fight was significant not only for filling the void left by Leonard but also for being the first welterweight world title match in over fifty years scheduled for twelve rounds instead of fifteen. This change followed the tragic fight between Ray Mancini and Duk Koo Kim, which resulted in Kim’s death and prompted the WBC to reduce championship fights to twelve rounds. This alteration would prove crucial in the outcome of McCrory vs Jones.
In the early rounds, McCrory used his mobility to stick and move, throwing numerous punches but with little power. Fans hoping to see McCrory stalk Jones and outgun the Welshman were disappointed. As the fight progressed, Jones began to find his range, landing heavy blows that visibly affected McCrory. By the middle rounds, Jones had taken control, his powerful punches causing significant damage. McCrory, despite his best efforts, struggled to keep up with Jones’ relentless assault.
As the bout entered the later rounds, it became clear that Jones’ power was taking its toll on McCrory. The Detroit fighter’s movements slowed, and his punches lost their snap. Jones, sensing victory, pressed forward, landing devastating shots that had McCrory in trouble. In the twelfth and final round, Jones unleashed a barrage of punches that sent McCrory to the canvas. Although McCrory managed to beat the count, he was in no condition to continue, and the referee stopped the fight, awarding Jones a technical knockout victory.
The McCrory vs Jones fight marked a turning point in the welterweight division. With Leonard retired and Curry holding the WBA title, Jones’ victory set the stage for a potential unification bout. However, Jones’ reign as WBC champion would be short-lived, as he would go on to lose the title in his next fight. Nonetheless, the McCrory vs Jones bout remains a memorable chapter in boxing history, highlighting the sport’s unpredictability and the impact of regulatory changes on its outcomes.
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