Norris by a strong unanimous decision, Starling's weight was welterweight, and moving up to fight Norris would be a mistake.
Norris especially liked welterweights....but in Starling he'd have to be very careful. The fact is, Starling was terrific at baiting arrogant foes into traps. If I had to drop a dime on the outcome, I'd bet on "Moochie" to stop Norris later in a match Norris figured he had in the bag.
Starling was a "VERY GOOD" but nowhere near great Welter in the 1980s......... 147 was home for Marlon Starling.......... At 154 to 160, M.S. was still skilled enough to competer, but not strong enough to beat the real top guys up there........ Starling's main assets were defense and savy.......... Terrence Norris was very fast and spry at 154 pounds and much more offensive minded, as well......... Norris would be aggressive and eager to pile up points on Marlon Starling.... Starlings' skills keep him in the fight, but Norris boxes his way to a decision in a very tactical fight that resembles a chess match............ Norris W12 Starling MR.BILL
Norris demonstrated that "greatness" wasn't needed to beat him....more than once. Starling was a better ring general and smart enough to get Terry firmly into "ego mode". Not certain he'd even really need to, at that. Marlon had the goods technically, and could have zoomed Terry in a tactical match...but me thinks Terry would try to overpower him....like he typically did when facing welterweights....and screw-up. :smoke
Norris was still a lot better than the Lemon--Mark Breland or the hyped Englishman--Lloyd Honeyghan......... Starling would have his gloves full with Norris.............. I suppose you could compare a peaked Terry Norris with Donald Curry in a sense........ Curry was peaked when he schooled Starling 2X in the early 80s....... I gotta assume a 154 lb. Norris would do the same, too.......... MR.BILL:bbb:deal Note: Norris beat the **** outta a faded Curry on HBO in 1991.......
Would be one of those bouts that you think one man wins easily until you watch it multiple times and notice just how many punches are actually blocked. Still, Norris should win this one unless he gets ko'ed, for which there'd only be a minor chance.
Norris had a glass-jaw for sure, but Starling was no power-puncher..... Starling's power at 147 was still good.......... But at 154, I think the little bit bigger Norris handles Starling's type of power pretty damn well......... Yet, I am not sure how well Starling handles Norris' right cross on the chops............ hat MR.BILL
I just glanced over the end of the 6th round from '88 with Starling and Tomas Molinares on my HBO tape...........Molinares was arm-weary and tiring in round 6 when he suddenly landed a bomb at the bell to clock and stop Starling cold....... A freak and wicked KO loss for Starling............ MR.BILL
