He is a member of a very traditional family in the boxing scene: he is the oldest of three brothers and all boxers (Bruce's younger brother Donald Curry is considered the most successful boxer in the family, having won four belts in the welterweight category (WBC, WBA, IBF and The Ring), and one in the light middleweight category (WBC), plus a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame).
Curry was a two-time Texas Golden Gloves Champion and runner-up to Sugar Ray Leonard at the 1976 U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials.
Curry made two successful title defenses, knocking out Hidekazu Akai in seven rounds and winning a rematch with Haley by a twelve-round split decision.
On February 2, 1984, Curry was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, after he fired several shots at his trainer, Jesse Reid, following an altercation at a gym.
Curry was found innocent by reason of insanity and ordered confined to a mental hospital until he was no longer a threat to society.
He was released on March 26, 1985, after a team of three psychiatrists said he was no longer mentally ill. Curry fought just one more time, defeating Tomas Garcia by a ten-round decision on April 29, 1986.