Michael Nunn vs. Marlon Starling

In October 1989, the undefeated and reigning IBF middleweight champion Michael Nunn reached a multiyear agreement with the then-brand new Las Vegas area hotel and casino The Mirage that would see Nunn defend his title against a yet-to-be named opponent. Marlon Starling, then the reigning WBC welterweight champion was in negotiations with Nunn at the time and was the heavy favorite, though Nunn's promoter also named Lindell Holmes and John Mugabi as possible opponents.^[2] Just over a week after Nunn had announced his deal with The Mirage, it was confirmed that Starling would in fact be Nunn's opponent, with Starling agreeing to an $850,000 payday after previously having asked for no less than $1,000,000.^[3] Starling, having fought as a welterweight for his entire career up to that point, had expressed interest in moving up to middleweight in search of more lucrative fights after his most recent welterweight title defense against Young Kil Jung had only netted him $100,000.^[4] Starling was simultaneously in negotiations for a unification bout with IBF welterweight champion Simon Brown but passed on the fight after failing to get the $1,000,000 payday he desired and chose to fight Nunn after receiving a higher offer.^[5]

Originally scheduled to take place on January 27, 1990, the fight was postponed after Nunn injured his back in December when he fell on steps as this home.^[6] As it was not known how long it would take for Nunn's injury to heal, a new date was not announced at the time of the postponement until over a month later when the fight was rescheduled for April 14.^[7]

Starling, having made a 2-weight class jump and giving up six inches to Nunn, was a 6–1 underdog going into the fight. Starling downplayed the notion that he was an underdog, calling himself the "best fighter in the world" at the pre-fight press conference though Nunn quickly retorted that Starling was in fact the "best welterweight in the world."^[8] Starling also mentioned that he was "comfortable" at the 160-pound middleweight limit as he claimed his natural weight when not boxing was 165 pounds, telling the media "I'm going to come into the fight comfortable and strong. I'm as fast and as quick as Michael."^[9]

The fight was largely a tactical affair with neither fighter taking many chances, though Nunn was the more active of the two, throwing 972 punches and landing 309 as opposed to Starling who landed 265 of his 682 thrown punches. With the fight going the 12-round distance, two judges had Nunn comfortably ahead with scores of 118–110 and 117–111, giving Starling only two and three rounds respectively, while the third scored the fight a draw with a 114–114 score, giving both fighters six rounds apiece, making it a majority decision win for Nunn.^[10]

Confirmed bouts:^[11]

^Note 1 For IBF middleweight title