Its a shame this fight didn't happen back in the day, as I think it would have a been great chess match between two guys that were both 6'2 and highly skilled. Who y'all got though if they fought in their best forms at 160?
I remember back in 1989 when Nunn KO’d Sumbu Kalambay with one shot. The entire boxing world instantly became terrified of him. Hearns stated at that time that he wanted no part of Nunn…. BUT, aside from that one performance, Nunn never again struck me as the type of fighter that I would favor over Tommy Hearns. While that one knockout was picture perfect and devastating, it only happened once. And I think Kalambay provided some of the momentum for that KO by walking in as nunn was launching the left hook. Nunn generally didn’t display the type of power or style that would make me fear for Hearns. Both were tall. Both good boxers. Hearns did better against higher caliber fighters and had power that carried well as he rose in weight. I went with Thomas Hearns via decision.
Good post. I actually remember the article when Tommy's camp stated they didn't want to fight Michael Nunn, and I think it was because Nunn was still an up and comer at that time and Tommy instead wanted to fight the winner of Haggler v Leonard. Here it is: https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...n-arum-says-fighter-spurned-2-million.600606/
It made far more sense for Hearns to pursue Leonard both from a legacy and money standpoint. The risk was also lower at THAT point if people are honest.
It's sad that the 1 punch loss diminishes Kalambays reputation so much . Nunn was on a hot streak and became the hottest fighter in the world in March 1989. It didn't last long. He fell out with Bob Surkein and the East Coast Boxing Media cabal turned on him.The closeish decision over Barkley was written up as a huge let down as were his genuine struggles with Starling and Curry. After the Barkley loss and Kinchen split decision Emannuel Steward started talking Thomas Hearns down.Saying things like he didn't want Tommy to get hurt by younger guy and he wouldn't allow Tommy to spar younger guys like Michael Moorer. I found it OTT at the time as shown by Tommy's resilience and subsequent de facto victory over SRL. Steward was taking 40% of Hearns purses by this time and a combination. The Hearns of the Shuler fight had none of the mileage of the 12 rounds with Dewitt,the Andries and Roldan wars and the collapse and near collapse against Barkley and Kinchen that left Tommy looking like an accident waiting to happen. Hearns in the summer of 1986 was still a prime middleweight and I think he outboxes and than knocks out Nunn in 9.
Shame really, would have loved to see him against the other top middles at the time, like McCallum, Jones, and Hopkins
Hearns still had enough to get him at that point. McCallum would have been an ideal fight for Nunn, i think he would have outslicked him comfortably.
