Marlon Starling

Broncano · Post by **Broncano** » 30 Dec 2003, 03:57

One of the good welterweights of the 80s whom isnt mentioned very often. Excellent defensive fighter, I always enjoyed watching him, specially the tough run he gave a prime Donald Curry in both their fights(who was knocking out opponents left and right). He was never kayoed, except for that punch after the bell from Molinares, and was also responsible for exposing Mark Breland.

Our British posters might associate him more with his stoppage of Honeyghan, and I was wondering if anyone has any special recollections of Marlon you would like to share...

crooked nose · Post by **crooked nose** » 30 Dec 2003, 05:54

Yes, I enjoyed watching Starling also. I felt he was something of a hard-luck fighter - an opponent's death early in his career just the start. If not for Curry being around at the same time, Starling would have dominated the division. He was by far Curry's toughest foe, including Honeyghan who I always felt was unimpressive and lucky. Naturally, I thoroughly enjoyed Moochie's victory over him. Also relished his thrilling victory over Breland. I always loved seeing an underdog pull out a win against a media darling.
Saw Starling fight live once - tune-up against trailhorse Ralph Twinning. Moochie looked sharp - TKO7. I was always more impressed by his physical strength and accurate punching, but he did have all the tools.
Don't know what he's up to now. Hope he landed on his feet.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 30 Dec 2003, 09:23

Starling was an excellent fighter. I think he'd have beaten Honeyghan at any point in their careers. That was a helluva painful beating he dished out to poor old Lloyd, who had a huge swelling on his face from early on.

After all the heated talk in the buildup, Marlon said before the fight "Lloyd is going to want to be my friend half way through the fight..."

After the Molinares freak knockout, he was being interviewed and refused to believe he'd been knocked out - untill they showed him the tape..

I've heard he's planning a comeback - hope he sticks to training though.

Steve M · Post by **Steve M** » 30 Dec 2003, 12:05

Starling was excellent.He was just meant to mark Breland's next opponent on his percieved road to greatness when he totally exposed him.
First Don Curry fight was very close but i don't think Starling was really in the second one at all.Main problem was his work rate IMO.

Broncano · Post by **Broncano** » 30 Dec 2003, 12:21

I read Starling still lives in Hartford, Conn, and currently works and trains at "Iceman" John Scully's gym. I also read about the rumours of him making a comeback sometime ago, but fortunately haven't heard anything new about it. I did a web search and found this Maxboxing article from May 2002:

http://www.maxboxing.com/Tobey/tobey043002.asp

I remember that Starling's name was mentioned among a list of possible rivals for Ray Leonard's comeback in 1984. I think the great counterpuncher that Marlon was would've had a field day with Ray. In the end Leonard, who always chose his opponents very carefully, went for an already fading Kevin Howard, was put on the seat on his trunks and got away with a controversial stoppage.

John_A · Post by **John_A** » 02 Jan 2004, 19:57

I remember listening to Honeyghen-Starling on BBC radio as a teenager and it broke my heart as a huge Honeyghan fan.
I don't believe Starling would have had such an easy night against the Lloyd who crushed Rosi,Curry,Bumphus or Hatcher. I think Lloyd's lifestyle led to a very short prime, and rapidly eroding skills.

Rafael · Post by **Rafael** » 08 Jan 2004, 12:48

I recently re-watched both Starling-Curry fights. Really excellent stuff between two sound and evenly matched boxers. Curry was just a tad better both times. We don't see fights like those any more....

Broncano · Post by **Broncano** » 08 Jan 2004, 13:10

Yes, the Curry fights were great to watch for anyone who appreciates pure technical display in the ring. I don't have tape of those fights but as I remember correctly the first one (for the NABF title I believe) was closer than when they fought for Curry's title.

I remember that the first time I saw Marlon was at the time of Leonard's comeback in 84 when they had a bunch of possible opponents in the ballot, and I caught on TV a replay of his decision over Kevin Howard. Marlon decked Howard early in the fight and then cruised to an easy points win. Back then I said to myself "they must be crazy if theyre going to pick him for Ray's comeback". Ray must have been watching too because, sure enough, Howard got the call.

Few years later Mark Breland's handlers made the mistake of thinking Marlon wasn't a threat anymore. And well... they found out the hard way.

Broncano · Post by **Broncano** » 08 Jan 2004, 13:29

Another remarkable thing about Marlon. In our database, his weight for that fight against Howard (April 83) is listed as 146 1/2. For his last bout 7 years later against Maurice Blocker his weight is 146.

Rafael · Post by **Rafael** » 08 Jan 2004, 13:42

Yes, the first one was closer, and some might even say controversial. The second one was close up to the 10th. round or so, but then, showing true championship grit, Curry stepped it up and pulled away in the championship rounds. Curry actually looked fresher from 10 to 15 than during the mid rounds. Starling tried his best towards the end, but Curry was just a tad better conditioned and sharper.

They recently interviewed Starling when he attended one of those Ballroom cards in Maryland. He looks good, appears to be in shape, and is very sharp-witted. He is working with young fighters in the Hartford area.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 08 Jan 2004, 20:15

Excellent fighter, I remember the fight he had with Molinares it was a very patchy display from him. I think he got floored in the 9th? Anyway the round before was truly a magical round and he made Molinares look so poor. I don't know did Marlon just run out of gas, okay the KO was very controversial - however went from invinsible to very beatable in the space of the minute break between the 8th and the 9th (I think I have got the round correct, I was young).

He should be discussed more on such forums, he was an excellent Welter and the #2 behind Curry for year (IMO) ahead of some great names.

The Honeyghun result was no surprise, what happend to him after that.

kovit · Post by **kovit** » 08 Jan 2004, 23:44

What was Starlings' height he stands in?

Broncano · Post by **Broncano** » 08 Jan 2004, 23:46

kovit wrote:What was Starlings' height he stands in?

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=000955

kovit · Post by **kovit** » 08 Jan 2004, 23:46

I meant how tall was Starling? Can anyone tell me in this site?

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 09 Jan 2004, 09:22

kovit wrote:I meant how tall was Starling? Can anyone tell me in this site?

Starling is 5'9", but had very long arms.

A tremendous fighter, underrated by many.

At Welterweight he would have beaten Shane Moseley (who is overrated) and may have beaten DLH as well.

The Magic Man was class.

kovit · Post by **kovit** » 09 Jan 2004, 17:15

Thank you Knockout Artist.

zurdo · Post by **zurdo** » 10 Jan 2004, 16:36

Terrific Fighter Marlon Starling.. I'd say that because he suceeded over the long haul he actually had a better career than Curry and turned out to be a better fighter ..

He was one of those guys who often seemed to be beset with managerial and promotional problems ...

I think that is what might have been the reason that he never got the recognition that his skills would merit..

crooked nose · Post by **crooked nose** » 11 Jan 2004, 00:29

His 1983 twelve-round win over Tommy Ayers was a thriller, too. ayers was another guy who was very talented but got lost in a talent-laden division.

zurdo · Post by **zurdo** » 11 Jan 2004, 00:41

crooked nose wrote:His 1983 twelve-round win over Tommy Ayers was a thriller, too. ayers was another guy who was very talented but got lost in a talent-laden division.

Yeah Tommy Ayers I thought that guy was really gonna go places

but then his career took a sudden unexpected left turn into the crapper,,
When he fought Buddy Mc Girt he offerd only feeble resistance and folded from one punch in the 2 round ..

He must have had some personal problems or didn't like to train or something ..because he certainly seemed to have the talent..