14. Lloyd Honeyghan (43-5-0, 30 KO)

Born: Apr 22, 1960

 

"The Ragamuffin Man" produced one of the greatest upsets in British boxing history when he went to Atlantic City, NJ and upset heavily favored American Donald Curry.  Curry was dismissive of his little-known opponent in pre-fight and asked "Who is this Ragamuffin?" at a press conference.  It was a nickname Honeyghan would carry with relish for the rest of his career.

 

Honeyghan defended his title successfully on multiple occasions before losing his belt when he was stopped because of a cut against Jorge Vaca.  Honeyghan became only the second British boxer to regain a world title when he knocked out Vaca in a return match.

 

Honeyghan also showed himself to be a man of strong principles. Disgusted with the WBA allowing fights to take place in Apartheid South Africa, Honeyghan vacated his title rather than defend it against South African Harold Volbrecht. Soon after this incident, the WBA stopped sanctioning fights in South Africa.