I don't think he was unlucky to run into Toney, he was in clear command until he got hit by that left hand. He looked and performed like the superior of the two, and I think he was for those 11 rounds, the better fighter. Nunn is a shame, even if it was his own fault, he still had all the tools to go and dominate Boxing. Ordinary fighters don't spark Kalamby, and outbox prime Toney.
Nunn was mentioned massively on these shores as a future opponent of either michael watson nigel benn chris eubank or steve collins
As did I. Toney was starting to come on and had stolen the last couple of rounds while Nunn was starting to coast it seemed. That built up momentum did him well. When both were throwing leather Nunn generally got the best of it though, whether inside or out.
...............How do I remember him? Primarily from a KO Magazine interview, which was set up with Nunn in the room with the writer and Nunn's manager on a conference call line into the office. The manager frequently butted into the interview, much as a hyper-protective lawyer would with a client being questioned. The interviewer wrote as a prelude to the transcript of the interview that he would never agree to talk to Nunn again unless it was just him and Nunn, with no management around. It really pissed him off.
what i remember is Toney removing the smirk of his face in front of his hometown. what a great moment.
Can only remember a few fights, beating Tate was an excellent win at the time and the Kalambay blow-out. Also beating up Don Curry in Paris in a poor fight.
It sure didn't show, Nunn was comfortably outboxing him for 90% of the fight. Toney did turn the tide a bit about a round before the stoppage from memory.
Funny this thread popped up, i bought a Nunn fight collection only a few days ago. I think if Toney didnt land with that punch we would remember him a lot differently. He was a fantastic boxer, but the American public didnt like his style and the fact that he did have KO power but was content with his boxing.
Michael was the Golden Child.. He was ariving at a rate of knotts and aiming towards all of those middleweights with a vengeance.. When he beat Tate he beat an accomplished solid champion and was destined as a longterm champ in the making.. Nunn was not built as a puncher , but could create incredible range to land long languid whip like shots that ofetn had more sting in them than many realised. The Ko of Sumbu was an absolute shocker, Sumbu had a fabulous chin and Mike landed from a complete standing start and rendered him unconcious.. Mike was unfortunately very stubborn and hard headded and often took the law into his own hands in fights, when he faced Toney it was so obvious that he was to have avoided any late confrontation with James as he was handily leading on the cards... and in fights with Victor Cordova later in his career he made the fight very personal and dirty with fouls galore when he opted to get all gun slinger with the colombian nut case. Mike was a friend of mine who i took the time to know around 1993 when he was having his first run ins with the law back in Iowa.. Mike was easily lead and loved to drink coronas and party a bit.. The last time we were on taking terms was in Las Vegas in the may of 1993 when we hung out at the Mirage Hotel following Lewis victory over Tucker for the heavyweight crown, Nunn drank quite heavily and was almost 200 lbs .. He was a gem of a man but was destined for trouble, and it soon caught up with him.. He should have remained champ for at least 5 years but his own stubbornness ruined a long supposed reign...
Thankyou so much John.. Mike is one of my weaknesses, I think i could see from a mile away what was going to happen to him , but only him could not see it coming.. If you analyse his record, just look at the names he beat , yet there is no flag waving cruisade surrounding him, he just faded into the shadow of a man who ended up losing in the UK to Littles.. He was much better than that. He never really looked like he was even breaking sweat against the likes of Barkley , Roldan, Toney and Tate... Its another sad one.. I hope when he gets out of levinsworth he will call on me, i have a soft spot for him and Ollie Mccall, Nice giving people.. God bless.