Michael Nunn

IBHoF Bio

Name: Michael Nunn
Alias: Second To
Birth Name: Michael John Nunn
Hometown: Davenport, Iowa, USA
Birthplace: Davenport, Iowa, USA
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 185cm
Reach: 196cm
Pro Boxer: Record
Amateur Boxer: Record
Pro Kickboxer: Record

• Michael Nunn Photo Gallery

Amateur Career

• Amateur record: 168-8
• 1982 Iowa Golden Gloves Champion at 147 pounds
• 1983 Iowa Golden Gloves Champion at 156 pounds
• 1984 Iowa Golden Gloves Champion at 165 pounds
• Lost a 4-1 decision to Virgil Hill at the 1984 Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas. Nunn then defeated Hill by a 5-0 decision in the first Box-Off in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the third and deciding bout, Hill scored a first-round knockdown on his way to a 5-0 decision win. Hill went on to win the Olympic Silver Medal at 165 pounds.

Professional Career

• Has defeated 10 opponents (6 by KO) in world title fights.
  • 4 opponents (2 by KO) in world super middleweight title fights.
  • 6 opponents (4 by KO) in world middleweight title fights.
• Has a record of 11-4 (6 KOs) in world title fights.
• Has a record of 8-4 (5 KOs) against former world titlists.
  • Won against Frank Tate, Sumbu Kalambay, Iran Barkley, Marlon Starling, Donald Curry, Victor Cordoba (twice), William Guthrie.
  • Lost against James Toney, Steve Little, Frankie Liles, Graciano Rocchigiani.
• Defeated Alex Ramos by a twelve-round unanimous decision to win the California State Middleweight Championship in November 1986.
• Defeated Darnell Knox by a fourth-round knockout to win the NABF Middleweight Championship in October 1987.
• Defeated Frank Tate by a ninth-round knockout to win the IBF Middleweight Championship in July 1988.
• Defeated Sumbu Kalambay by a first-round knockout in March 1989 in The Ring Magazine Knockout of the Year.
• After five successful title defenses, lost the IBF Middleweight Championship to James Toney by an eleventh-round knockout in May 1991.
• Defeated Randall Yonker by a tenth-round knockout to win the NABF Super Middleweight Championship in November 1991.
• Defeated Victor Cordoba by a twelve-round split decision to win the WBA Super Middleweight Championship in September 1992.
• After four successful title defenses, lost the WBA Super Middleweight Championship by a twelve-round split decision to Steve Little in February 1994.
• Lost a twelve-round unanimous decision to Frankie Liles for the WBA Super Middleweight Championship in November 1994.
• Defeated John Scully by a twelve-round unanimous decision to win the NABO Super Middleweight Championship in December 1995.
• Defeated Rudy Nix by a second-round knockout to win the NABF Light Heavyweight Championship in January 1997.
• Lost a twelve-round split decision to Graciano Rocchigiani for the vacant WBC Light Heavyweight Championship in March 1998.

Awards

• Recipient of The Ring Magazine Progress of the Year Award for 1988.
• KO Magazine Fighter of the Year for 1988.
• Awarded a championship belt by the WBC in 2021 and proclaimed the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion for 1998 after an investigation by the sanctioning body found irregularities in his fight against Graciano Rocchigiani.
• Inducted into the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame in 2021.
• Inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022.

Prison

Nunn was arrested on August 6, 2002, at a hotel in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, moments after paying an agent $200 for one kilogram of cocaine that had an estimated street value of $24,000. He pleaded guilty on May 23, 2003, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

On January 30, 2004, Nunn was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge William Gritzner.

Gritzner 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 as far as 1993. Nunn, who accepted responsibility for buying the drugs in August 2002, denied his involvement in drug trafficking, pointing out that several of the witnesses were in prison and could have their sentences reduced for providing testimony.

Nunn accused government lawyers of lying and scheming to bring him down.

"You guys haven't shown me nothing," Nunn said in his statement to the judge. "Where are your facts, Mr. Prosecutor?"

Nunn's original sentence was shortened by 57 months due to legislation regarding federal drug offenders, and he was released from prison on February 6, 2019.

Preceded by: Frank Tate	IBF Middleweight Champion 1988 Jul 28 – 1991 May 10	Succeeded by: James Toney
Preceded by: Victor Cordoba	WBA Super Middleweight Champion 1992 Sep 12 – 1994 Feb 26	Succeeded by: Steve Little