Could a prime Michael Nunn be able to beat Roy Jones Jr at Middleweight?

Jones was bigger than 90% of the fighters he thought, he would struggle taller, fast fighter who had a 77 inch reach that`s why Jones refused to fight Nunn while Nunn was a super middle champ.

 

Good question. Not sure how good Jones really was at middleweight as he didn’t stay there very long and fought most of his best opponents above 160 with the exception of a young B-Hop. When it came to raw talent and athleticism Jones was great no matter where he fought . But 160 was Nunn’s division. He was fast, fluid, skilled and had awkward height at that weight. Not totally sure who would take it at middle but I’d definitely give nunn a good chance.

 

The Nunn from the Tate fight would have been an excellent test for RJJ. I always liked the version of Nunn who was on his bike a lot, as I thought his footwork was one of his better attributes. The more flat-footed version of Nunn that only managed a SD against the much smaller Starling, as well as about all of his fights North of 160, probably loses to Jones.

A cautious, defense-first Nunn who's on the move, forcing Jones to come forward possibly could have squeaked out a decision I suppose. Nunn did have underrated power, and IMO, an underrated chin. Only 1 stoppage loss in 62 fights, and that was from an absolute bomb, flush on the chin from a punch he didn't see coming.

Nunn was at his best at 160. Not sure Jones was at his absolute best yet during his time at that weight. Very interesting fight.

 

Hmm, RJJ vs an awkward southpaw with very good power, tricky angles, and fast hands, wonder how that would go...

 

This would be such a banger and if anyone could cause RJJ problems at middleweight a prime Nunn is that one

 

Jones to me was pretty unbeatable until he came back down from Heavyweight, after that for some reason he was 'washed up' maybe losing the weight or desire after being Heavyweight World Champ.

I think he would have beaten Nunn. He had a great chin Jones.

Nunn did have some good fights and would have had more, shame what happened to him being stitched up, don't agree with drugs but he was stuffed up and got far too long

 

Yes.

 

Maybe. Thats a real tough one to visualize. I could see victory for both men any given day.

 

Heavens no. Jones has virtually everything he has with notably more speed and power. Jones would KO him if he was serious.

 

Here, here.

 

Great bout! Couldn’t pick a winner.

 

I dunno John RJJ was dropped by Lou Del Valle who was a Southpaw.

And Eric Harding who had the same height and reach as Nunn aswell as being another Southpaw was giving RJJ problems until RJJ starting punching on his arm after Harding tore his bicep.

I also think Tarver presented stylistic problems for RJJ being a tall rangy Southpaw counter puncher. I know RJJ was never the same after dropping down to Heavyweight. But i actually think RJJ looked quite good in their 2nd fight until he got caught with a perfect punch. I'm one of the people that believe Tarver would always be a tricky opponent for even a prime RJJ.

I think RJJ would have issues with Nunn's awkward slippery Southpaw style. Not that i'm saying i would make Nunn a favourite but stylistically it's a challenging opponent for RJJ.

 

We'll have to disagree on a load of those points old mate. Sure, Nunn could be awkward for him but he ain't winning, not in my book. While thinking Nunn was an extremely good fighter and very talented, i think he gets overrated somewhat. His overall record shows that the KO of Kalambay was a complete anomaly. He's remembered for a couple of really good performances whilst his many mundane efforts seem to get forgotten.

People still wax poetic over is victory vs Frank Tate. It's often held up as proof of just how awesome he was. It's Frank Tate. He boxed and fought beautifully against him but Tate's level wasn't near good enough to earn such accolades. His record is there for all to see.

A guy he'd give a heap of trouble to would be McCallum. He'd always be ahead of Toney on points too. He started to derail in 1990 when he split with Goossen. He underwhelmed vs Barkley, Starling and Curry before gassing and getting stopped by Toney. Ironically his best left him as early as post Kalambay. After fights like Barkley the boxing world cooled on him quite a bit. By Toney time his star had fallen quite a bit.

Nunn sits somewhere between very good and a level below great. I'd say he'd be in the "very good" half of that.