Ali, Nunn and RJJ - compare skillsets

I think that Nunn would struggle to have any longer period of dominance. First of all I see little reason to believe he wasn't in shape against Toney. He kept up a high pace for the first half and when he started to slow down his defensive flaws was to oapparent for a fighter as sharp as Toney not capitalize.

Secondly, I believe he was lucky not to meet even more difficult stylistical match-ups like Hearns and McClellan. Guys with both size, power and sharpness. I can't see him getting past those guys to be honest. I also think Jackson would have been a dangerous proposition.

And McCallum, while nos as dangerous for Nunn from a stylistically standpoint, would also not be easy to get past.

I think Nunn would need a quite poor era, like the late 90's minus Hopkins, for someone not to come along and exploit his flaws eventually.

Then there's also the fact that he was too big to make MW his whole career and would have had to move up sooner or later, where his flaws was an even bigger liability since he din't have the same advantages in reach and height.

 

I think that's a pretty good distinction. Nunn showed more in terms of in-fighting and body punching than Ali, but Ali did more damage when circling and punching. At least in his prime. His jab was also much better than Nunn's.