Hagler would have countered Nunn effectively after the first 4 or 5 rounds of being a half second behind. I believe Nunn would be dropped and lose a convincing decision over 12 and stopped if it went further.
I have to favor Hagler. The Barkley and Toney performances lead me to believe that there is little reason to go with none.
Indeed. The Barkley struggle surely for me illustrated Nunn's shortcomings despite his having deserved the win. The Starling non-match was another one.
Prime for Prime I gotta go with Hagler, I think after a very competitive start of the fight he gets to Nunn in the mid to late rounds and stops him. Now if Hagler had stuck around after the Leonard fight long enough to face Nunn then I could see a prime Michael Nunn beating an old Hagler.
I think Hagler would win this prime for prime. Nunn was very slick and would get out to a lead. Hagler would work the body. Marv's body attack and intensity would close the gap. Around the 10th round, Marv would corner Nunn and put him away with a viscous attack along the ropes. It would end with a tko. not a count out.
If Hagler would beat a prime Nunn, it would probably be his best scalp at MW. I feel Hagler would edge it due to Nunn's less than stellar pace, but it's not clear cut. Nunn would in all probability be Hagler's most difficult opponent.
If Nunn put's it together he can beat Hagler, his speed, range, height would all trouble Hagler. Hagler would be forced to chase the boxer somewhat and fight as a pressure fighter, which he didn't always excel at. It's a similar dynamic to the Leonard fight. I think it would be a close fight either way. Why, he didn't easily beat Mugabi or Antufermo first time. After Kalambay Nunn went off the boil and didn't maintain his initial promise.
In a 15 round fight, Hagler would decisely beat Nunn by 13th round stoppage, a 12 round fight, he would win a close decision.
