Nunn-Starling and its historical significance

[Emon723]

Correct me if im wrong but for the past 22 years, there has never been a fight made between the middleweight champion of the world vs the welterweight champion, both simultenously holding a title belt, there are fights involve the middleweight champ vs a former welterweight champion moving up in weight.

In 1990, IBF Middleweight champion Michael Nunn took on the smaller WBC Welterweight champion Marlon Starling, who has a claim as the best welter by previous wins over WBA and IBF counterpart, Mark Breland and Simon Brown.

The then 34-0 Nunn had difficulty finding his next opponent as the decade enters the 1990s, and opted to accept a challenge from a 147 pound title-holder.

Sugar Ray Leonard (the dream fight that was not possible)
McCallum (WBA champion, who had lost to Kalambay, whom Nunn stopped)
Benn (rumored to be fighting Duran, both Benn and Eubank are not yet popular in the states)
Mugabi (wasnt expect to have a lengthy reign)
Julian Jackson (for obvious reasons)

the fight itself may not really be historical as it was boring, lackluster that had one judge scoring it 114-114 and disappointed with Nunn's performance, but it's a match made possible by the promoters, not seen since Sugar Ray Robinson fought for the middleweight championship as a welterwight champion.

[TBear]

It was the only bout since the Monzon(Napoles) era that a reigning welterweight titlist challenged a reigning middleweight titlist that I remember.

But most welterweight champions have stopped off at 154lbs before moving up to middleweight.

[taansend]

I remember watching Nunn coming up. Wasn't easy to do in those days & I would often get to see his bouts weeks after they occurred prior to him winning the title.

I really thought he was going to be the next Ray Leonard. Especially after his stunning kayo of Sumbu Kalambay - who was a very good fighter.

And then it all went **** up.

[Mintcar923]

I really liked Nunn at one time although I generally can't stand to watch a southpaws for some reason. I was a huge fan of Starling because he had a great defense and I thought the way took apart Honeyghan was a thing of beauty. It was a shame Nunn and Starling didn't match up too well in the ring.

[Scott9945]

I remember watching Nunn coming up. Wasn't easy to do in those days & I would often get to see his bouts weeks after they occurred prior to him winning the title.

I really thought he was going to be the next Ray Leonard. Especially after his stunning kayo of Sumbu Kalambay - who was a very good fighter.

And then it all went **** up.

Nunn did have the look of an ATG for a certain period in his career. That's why you wait until the story is over before you make such pronouncements. Even though he won't make the HOF, Nunn at his very best would be a difficult opponent for anyone, ever.

[Emon723]

It was the only bout since the Monzon(Napoles) era that a reigning welterweight titlist challenged a reigning middleweight titlist that I remember.

But most welterweight champions have stopped off at 154lbs before moving up to middleweight.

Yup, thats why let's say if Floyd Mayweather decided to take on a middleweight champion, he still have stops at 154, Marlon Starling was the last to have skipped the junior middleweight division to challenge a reigning 160lbs title holder, and I believe no such as "catch weights" in those times.

Oh I do forgot the Monzon-Napoles era.

[taansend]

I was a huge fan of Starling because he had a great defense and I thought the way took apart Honeyghan was a thing of beauty. It was a shame Nunn and Starling didn't match up too well in the ring.

The Starling win over Honeyghan might have been the result that hurt me the most. Lloyd is a South East Londoner like myself & my Uncle went to school with him & lived on the same estate. He really meant a lot to me. Actually got to chat to him in at some weird boxing/celeb/digital tv thing when I was visiting Blighty in 1999 (I believe we watched the Tyson v Botha fight). I was well drunk & nosed up but had a good natter with Lloyd as well as a few other boxers & one of the birds from All Saints.

[Rossman]

I looked and Nunn fought Starling and Donald Curry back to back. The after he fought the two welterweights he fought James Toney. Fighting welterweights is no way to prepare for Toney.

[taansend]

I looked and Nunn fought Starling and Donald Curry back to back. The after he fought the two welterweights he fought James Toney. Fighting welterweights is no way to prepare for Toney.

Point taken but to be fair Curry had fought at Light-middle or Middle since the Honeyghan fight 3 years previously.

Toney, as big as he was at the weight, was an untested (he really did shock us all) Middleweight. Not sure how old you are but I can't think of ANYONE who actually thought Toney had a chance. Especially in Nunn's hometown.

I think you're talking with hindsight clouding your opinion Mr Rossman.

[Scott9945]

Point taken but to be fair Curry had fought at Light-middle or Middle since the Honeyghan fight 3 years previously.

Toney, as big as he was at the weight, was an untested (he really did shock us all) Middleweight. Not sure how old you are but I can't think of ANYONE who actually thought Toney had a chance. Especially in Nunn's hometown.

I think you're talking with hindsight clouding your opinion Mr Rossman.

The hometown factor turned out to backfire on Nunn. He enjoyed his local celebrity status too much and hung around old cronies that he should have avoided. And he still was way ahead before he got caught.