Mike McCallum vs Donald Curry

On Saturday, 18th July 1987, the World Boxing Association Super Welterweight Title match took place at Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring defending champion Mike McCallum (31-0-0) and challenger Donald Curry (27-1-0). Promoted by Top Rank and aired on HBO World Championship Boxing, the fight showcased McCallum's 6th defense of his title. Despite being the underdog, McCallum secured a larger purse of $475,000, while Curry received $425,000.

In the early rounds, Curry, hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, demonstrated exceptional boxing skills. He managed to buckle McCallum's legs with a powerful right at the end of Round 2 and maintained an impressive performance throughout the first four rounds. Curry, a 2 to 1 favorite, was ahead on points, even though he sustained significant swelling around his left eye.

Meanwhile, McCallum, originally from Kingston, Jamaica and based in New York, strategized during the minute's rest after Round 4. He observed that Curry started to cover up to protect his body, giving McCallum an opportunity to test his opponent. Thirty seconds into the fifth round, McCallum threw a right hand to the body, followed by a seemingly harmless hook to the head.

The champion, not known for being a fast starter, had planned to jump on Curry early in the fight. As the fifth round progressed, McCallum's plan unfolded, and at 1:14 into the round, he delivered a devastating one-punch knockout. Referee Richard Steele declared McCallum the winner, retaining his World Boxing Association Super Welterweight Title.

McCallum's spectacular victory over Curry was later recognized by KO Magazine, which awarded the fight "Knockout of the Year."