Though originally ruled a knockout victory for Molinares, Larry Hazzard, head of New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, overturned the decision and declared the fight a no contest, however, though he had not officially won the fight, the WBA ruled in favor of Molinares keeping the WBA welterweight title.

[3][4] Though no longer in possession of the WBA welterweight title, Starling nevertheless continued negotiations with Honeyghan and the a fight between the two was ultimately made official in early January 1989 to take place the following month on February 4th.

Molinares pulled out of the fight and vacated the title only days after the event was announced with his manager citing "severe mental depression.

Starling controlled much of the fight and at times dominated Honeyghan before finally scoring the victory by technical knockout in the ninth round.

After Starling landed a brief barrage on an exhausted Honeyghan, whose right eye and cheek were now swollen, referee Mills Lane decided to stop the fight at 1:19 of the round.