Michael Nunn

Michael Nunn
Statistics
Real name	Michael John Nunn
Nickname(s)	Second To
Rated at	Middleweight Super-middleweight Light-heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Nationality	American
Born	(1963-04-14) April 14, 1963 Davenport, Iowa, United States
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	62
Wins	58
Wins by KO	37
Losses	4

Michael John Nunn (born April 14, 1963) is an American former boxer. Nicknamed "Second To" Nunn, he was a 6' 2" southpaw and was the Lineal/IBF middleweight champion, and the LinealWBA super-middleweight champion.

In 2004, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison for drug trafficking.

Amateur career

Nunn won three Iowa Golden Gloves titles and posted an amateur record of 168-8.^[1] At the 1984 Olympic trials, U.S. boxing officials asked Nunn, who was boxing as a 156-pounder, to move up to the 165-pound division. They wanted to clear the way for Frank Tate, the eventual Olympic gold medalist, who was being heralded as America's next great middleweight. Tate's last loss was to Nunn.

After agreeing to move up in weight, Nunn boxed Virgil Hill at the Olympic trials in Fort Worth, Texas. Hill defeated Nunn by a 4-1 decision. Nunn and Hill boxed again at the Olympic box-offs in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nunn won the first box-off by a 5-0 decision. In the second box-off, Hill dropped Nunn and won by a 5-0 decision to make the Olympic team as the U.S. representative in the 165-pound division.^[2]

Professional career

Middleweight

Nunn turned professional in 1984. After winning his first thirty fights, he fought IBF middleweight title-holder Frank Tate, who was 23-0. The fight took place on July 28, 1988 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Nunn won the title by a ninth-round knockout.

In his first title defense, he knocked out Juan Roldan in the eighth round. His second defense was a stunning first-round knockout of Sumbu Kalambay to capture the vacant Lineal middleweight championship. Nunn's next two title defenses were twelve-round majority decision wins over Iran Barkley and Marlon Starling. For his fifth defense, Nunn went to France and knocked out Donald Curry in ten rounds. On May 10, 1991, in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, Nunn lost his title in a big upset to James Toney. Nunn, well ahead on points after ten rounds, was knocked out after being dropped by a left hook in the eleventh round.^[3]

Super-middleweight

After the loss, Nunn moved up a weight division to super-middleweight and won the NABF title with a tenth-round stoppage against Randall Yonker. On September 12, 1992, Nunn won the Lineal/WBA super middleweight titles with a controversial twelve-round split decision over Victor Cordoba. The WBA ordered a rematch, which took place on January 30, 1993. Nunn fought much better in the rematch, winning by a one-sided twelve-round unanimous decision.^[4]

In his fifth title defense, Nunn lost the title to Steve Little by a twelve-round split decision on February 26, 1994, in another huge upset.^[5] On December 17, 1994, Nunn traveled to Ecuador to fight Frankie Liles in an attempt to regain the Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles. In a very close fight, Liles, who had defeated Little in his previous fight to win the title, defeated Nunn by a twelve-round unanimous decision.

Light-heavyweight

After nine consecutive wins, Nunn got another title shot. On March 21, 1998, he fought Graciano Rocchigiani for the vacant WBC light heavyweight title in Germany. Nunn lost by a twelve-round split decision, with the judges favouring Rocchigiani's fewer, more solid punches over Nunn's much higher volume of lighter shots.

On January 23, 2002, Nunn defeated Vinson Durhan by a ten-round unanimous decision at Caesar's Indiana in Bridgeport, Indiana. It would be his last fight. He finished with a record of 58-4 with 37 knockouts.^[6]

Arrest and sentencing

On August 6, 2002, at a hotel in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, Nunn was arrested after paying an undercover agent $200 for one kilogram of cocaine, which had a street value of $24,000. In May 2003, He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The following January, Nunn was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge William Gritzer, who agreed to a higher sentencing guideline after considering Nunn's long history in drug trafficking and the likelihood he used a firearm during drug deals.

During the three-day sentencing hearing, prosecutors called witnesses who testified about Nunn's drug activity dating back to 1993. Nunn, who accepted responsibility for buying drugs in August 2002, denied his involvement in drug trafficking. He pointed out that several of the witnesses were in prison and could have their sentences reduced for providing testimony.

Nunn, who was defiant throughout the hearing, accused government lawyers of lying and scheming against him. "You guys haven't shown me nothing," Nunn said in his statement to the judge. "Where are your facts, Mr. Prosecutor?"^[7]

Nunn is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Bastrop, a low-security federal prison in Texas, and is scheduled for release in 2024.^[8][9]

Professional boxing record

58 Wins (37 KOs), 4 Losses (1 KO)
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, Time	Date	Location	Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	58-4	Vinson Durham	UD	10	23/01/2002	Caesars Indiana, Bridgeport, Indiana
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	57-4	Matthew Charleston	TKO	5 (?), ?	08/12/2001	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	56-4	Kenny Craven	TKO	6 (10), 1:57	26/10/2001	Grand Casino, Gulfport, Mississippi
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	55-4	Carlos Bates	TKO	1 (10), 2:33	29/09/2001	Caesars Indiana, Elizabeth, Indiana
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	54-4	William Guthrie	TKO	7 (10), 0:22	09/05/1999	Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	53-4	Glenn Thomas	UD	10	04/09/1998	Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	52-4	Graciano Rocchigiani	SD	12	21/03/1998	Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany	For vacant WBC light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	52-3	Lonnie Horn	KO	1 (10), 2:59	05/07/1997	Mark of the Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	51-3	Booker T Word	TKO	7 (10), 1:49	10/05/1997	Mark of the Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	50-3	Rudy Nix	TKO	2 (12), ?	17/01/1997	Country Club, Reseda, California	Won NABF light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	49-3	Everardo Armenta, Jr	TKO	8 (10), 2:27	23/06/1996	Houston, Texas
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	48-3	John Scully	UD	12	08/12/1995	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut	Won NABO super-middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	47-3	Charles Oliver	PTS	10	13/10/1995	Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	46-3	Cecil McKenzie	TKO	4 (10), ?	15/08/1995	Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	45-3	Terry Bee	DQ	3 (10), 1:51	14/07/1995	Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	44-3	Earl Butler	UD	10	13/06/1995	Moline, Illinois
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	43-3	Frankie Liles	UD	12	17/12/1994	Ruminahui Coliseum, Quito, Ecuador	For Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	43-2	Salvador Maciel	TKO	1 (10), 0:56	12/09/1994	Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	42-2	Steve Little	SD	12	26/02/1994	Earls Court Exhibition Hall, Kensington, London, England	Lost Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	42-1	Merqui Sosa	UD	12	18/12/1993	Estadio Cuauhtemoc, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico	Retained Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	41-1	Crawford Ashley	TKO	6 (12), 2:59	23/04/1993	The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee	Retained Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	40-1	Dan Morgan	KO	1 (12), 2:59	20/02/1993	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico	Retained Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	39-1	Victor Cordoba	UD	12	30/01/1993	The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee	Retained Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	38-1	Victor Cordoba	SD	12	12/09/1992	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won Lineal/WBA super-middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	37-1	Randall Yonker	TKO	10 (12), 1:47	29/11/1991	Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won NABF super-middleweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	36-1	James Toney	TKO	11 (12), 2:14	10/05/1991	John O'Donnell Stadium, Davenport, Iowa	Lost Lineal/IBF middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	36-0	Donald Curry	KO	10 (12), 1:59	18/10/1990	Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy, Paris XII, Paris, France	Retained Lineal/IBF middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	35-0	Marlon Starling	MD	12	14/04/1990	Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained Lineal/IBF middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	34-0	Iran Barkley	MD	12	14/08/1989	Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada	Retained Lineal/IBF middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	33-0	Sumbu Kalambay	KO	1 (12), 1:28	25/03/1989	Las Vegas Hilton, Hilton Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF middleweight title. Won vacant Lineal middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	32-0	Juan Roldan	KO	8 (12), 2:28	04/11/1988	Las Vegas Hilton, Hilton Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained IBF middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	31-0	Frank Tate	TKO	9 (15), 0:40	28/07/1988	Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won IBF middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	30-0	Ron Daniels	TKO	2 (?), ?	31/05/1988	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29-0	Curtis Parker	KO	2 (12), 0:58	19/03/1988	Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained NABF middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	28-0	Kevin Watts	UD	12	02/01/1988	Country Club, Reseda, California	Retained NABF middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	27-0	Darnell Knox	TKO	4 (12), ?	29/10/1987	Las Vegas Hilton, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won NABF middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	26-0	Dale Jackson	UD	10	11/09/1987	Palmer Auditorium, Davenport, Iowa
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	25-0	Franklin Owens	TKO	9 (?), 0:51	11/08/1987	Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	24-0	Jose Duarte	TKO	2 (10), 1:45	02/07/1987	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23-0	Cecil Pettigrew	KO	5 (10), 0:45	24/04/1987	Palmer Auditorium, Davenport, Iowa
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22-0	Charles Campbell	TKO	9 (10), 1:04	04/04/1987	Caesars Palace, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	21-0	Willie Harris	TKO	6 (?), ?	06/02/1987	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20-0	Alex Ramos	UD	12	21/11/1986	Country Club, Reseda, California	Won California State middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19-0	Orlando Paulding	KO	1 (10), 2:09	28/10/1986	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	18-0	Mike Tinley	UD	10	19/09/1986	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	17-0	Charles Boston	UD	10	25/07/1986	Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16-0	Randy Smith	UD	10	25/06/1986	Forum, Inglewood, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	15-0	Felipe Vaca	TKO	3 (10), 1:56	19/05/1986	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14-0	Carl Jones	PTS	10	09/03/1986	Caesars Palace, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13-0	Charles Carter	TKO	3 (10), ?	10/02/1986	Forum, Inglewood, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	12-0	Alvaro Granillo	TKO	2 (10), 1:35	28/01/1986	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	11-0	Billy Robertson	UD	10	10/12/1985	Forum, Inglewood, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10-0	Jorge Amparo	PTS	8	13/11/1985	Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	9-0	Charles Campbell	PTS	8	25/09/1985	Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8-0	Marcos Geraldo	TKO	5 (8), 1:18	27/08/1985	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7-0	James Waire	TKO	3 (8), 2:31	29/07/1985	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	6-0	Larry Davis	TKO	2 (6), 1:15	27/06/1985	Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5-0	JW Johnson	KO	1 (8), 2:57	21/05/1985	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4-0	Sergio Campos	KO	1 (6), 1:57	13/04/1985	Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3-0	Robert Jackson	KO	1 (8), 1:22	26/03/1985	Country Club, Reseda, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2-0	Ismael Templos	KO	4 (6), ?	08/02/1985	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1-0	John Borman	TKO	1 (4), 2:26	20/12/1984	Showboat Hotel & Casino, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas	Professional debut.

Honors

• Recipient of The Ring magazine Progress of the Year award in 1988.
• KO magazine Fighter of the Year in 1988.^[10]

References