Ray Leonard vs. Michael Nunn in 1988

:goodI think this is a wonderful post from beginning to end and couldn't agree more:good

 

I know that Leonard was already slightly past his prime in the summer and fall of 1988 when Nunn beat the unbeaten Frank Tate for the IBF Middleweight title and then two fights later added the Linear/Ring Magazine title with his 89-seconds knockout over Sumbu Kalambay, but if Ray fought Nunn at that particular time when he still had his momentum from the Marvin Hagler fight underneath him and approached the fight with the young undefeated Nunn the same way he approached the Hagler fight or his third fight with Duran, with the same zest and passion that he fought those two with, the juices flowing and all, I honestly feel he might've scored a dramatic come behind knockout against the undefeated but still raw Nunn, who only had his impressive win over Tate to back him.

True Leonard would've had to endure Nunn's height advantage, which mind you was just a few inches shorter than Hearns, and reach advantage which also was a few shorter than Hearns as well as Nunn's southpaw style. But even past his prime it all depends on how Ray approaches a fight against a guy who didn't have any major mainstream appeal beyond the average/hardcore fight fan. This is definitely one for the video game if they could ever find a way to include all boxers on the video games but the fact that Nunn didn't have enough appeal, although he was good and talented while he was around, was the major reason why Ray didn't fight him even though Nunn rightfully was viewed as a threat.

It's funny how Nunn didn't appeal to the mainstream masses but the guy that eventually scored a major dramatic/upset come from behind knockout over him, the undefeated James Toney by 11th round K.O., would go on to be a major player in the sport for years to come following that 1991 knockout over Nunn and I honestly believe Ray at his best even past his prime would've registered a dramatic finish as simular to that one, by a late come from behind knockout over a young, talented but still raw Nunn.

 

Nunn easy & as one sided as a gang ****:bbb

 

Yeah, he almost let the Barkley fight get away from him even though he seemed to have an extra gear. Think I had that one a draw on last scoring.

 

Nunn is all wrong for Leonard, Nunn in a convincing points decision.

 

I didn't think there was any doubt on who won the fight I thought it was a pretty clear win for Nunn.

As for the thread Nunn by clear decision if its a fair decision but the judges might go with Leonard based on his popularity if the fight is competitive.

 

Yeah, always a risk with judges if a superstar like Leonard is competitive with you. Hearns certainly found that out, but was never bitter about it, to his credit.

Duran actually had one of the judges giving it to him against Benitez from memory and he was ahead against Hagler while the fight still was competitive.

 

This would be like Leonard Norris ,, Ray'd be lucky to go the distance

 

SRL was slightly past his peak at that point while Nunn was just reaching his, not to mention that Nunn just has a lot going into his favor over the smaller man. Taller, longer reach, slippery, just as quick, and a tricky southpaw style that's a nightmarish combination for SRL to overcome.

 

Nunn by decision. He was peaking.

 

Marvin being a switch hitter would havd caused Nunn problems as well.