He joined Catford and Lewisham Boxing Club and had his first professional fight in February 1981, a win over Mick Chmilowskyi.
Based in London, Currie had his first professional fight in February 1981, a win over Mick Chmilowskyi.
After an undistinguished start to his professional career in which he won only three of his first eight fights, a run of five straight wins led to a challenge for the Southern Area title against Funso Banjo; Banjo won on points over ten rounds.
His next fight was an eliminator for the Commonwealth title against Proud Kilimanjaro, which he won over 10 rounds.
Currie won four of his next 5 fights, including a 2nd-round knockout of Glenn McCrory, leading to another shot at the then vacant British title against Gary Mason; Mason won by a fourth-round knockout.