Marlon "Magic Man" Starling (born August 29, 1959) was a two-time US world champion boxer.
Starling was born in Hartford, CT in 1959. He turned professional in 1979. After 25 straight wins, he lost his first fight. He lost a 12 round decision to Donald Curry in 1982. Starling had a rematch with Curry in 1984, challenging for the WBA and IBF welterweight titles. Starling lost by a 15 round decision.
Starling's second world title fight came in 1987. He knocked out Mark Breland in the 11th round to win the WBA welterweight title. In his third title defense, Starling lost the title in controversial fashion to Tomas Molinares. Molinares hit Starling with a punch that was clearly thrown after the bell. Starling went down for the only time in his career, and the referee counted him out. Molinares was declared the new champion by knock out. However, the decision was later changed to a no contest but the Colombian kept the title.
In 1989, Starling knocked out Lloyd Honeyghan to win the WBC welterweight titles. The following year, Starling challenged Michael Nunn for the IBF middleweight title, but lost by decision. In his next fight, Starling lost his welterweight titles on a close decision to Maurice Blocker. That was Starling's last fight. He retired with a record of 45-6-1-1 (27 KOs).
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mark Breland |
WBA Welterweight Champion August 22, 1987 – July 29, 1988 |
Succeeded by Tomas Molinares |
| Preceded by Lloyd Honeyghan |
WBC Welterweight Champion February 4, 1989 – August 19, 1990 |
Succeeded by Maurice Blocker |
| Lineal Welterweight Champion February 4, 1989 – August 19, 1990 |
||
| Preceded by Lloyd Honeyghan |
The Ring Welterweight Champion February 4, 1989 – March 2, 1989 Title terminated |
Succeeded by Vernon Forrest Title reintroduced |