Nunn Faces Jones Today in Las Vegas

The best indication of the status of Michael Nunn’s boxing career is that he’s still fighting guys who have nearly as many listed ring records as Elizabeth Taylor has had husbands.

Today, Nunn takes his 13-0 record into a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout in Las Vegas against Carl Jones of Los Angeles. Jones is 19-1. Or 19-1-4. Or 16-1-4. Or 16-1. And matchmaker Mel Greb said Jones is “about 24 years old.”

It seems that in comparison to Carl Jones, Howard Hughes was an open book. But despite all the question marks, Nunn’s manager and trainer said his fighter is up against a solid foe.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about Jones,” said Dan Goossen, who trains Nunn in the Ten Goose Gym in North Hollywood. “Usually, when you check out an opponent, you always hear something that you can take advantage of, some weakness. But with this guy, I’ve heard nothing but good things. Michael has trained as if this kid is a world-beater. Jones is a puncher and a boxer. He’s a great counterpuncher and has a devastating left hook.”

Goossen said the reason the L.A.-based Jones is a virtual unknown here is that he has fought many of his fights in Atlantic City, N.J. But Goossen is confident that Jones will be left in pretty much the same condition as Nunn’s other opponents.

“Michael will win this fight,” Goossen said. “It will take a freak accident for him to lose. Michael has all the talent. He’s for real. And all the press out here for the Monday fights will see exactly who Michael Nunn is.”

The writers Goossen referred to are in Las Vegas for Monday night’s doubleheader at Caesars Palace featuring Marvin Hagler defending his middleweight title against John Mugabi, and Thomas Hearns fighting James Shuler in a co-feature.

Unfortunately for Nunn, most of the writers would rather watch Hagler do sit-ups than see Nunn fight.

In his last fight, on Feb. 10 at the Forum, Nunn was awarded a third-round TKO over Charles Carter, who was losing more blood than an overturned Red Cross delivery truck. An accidental head butt by Nunn in the first round opened a gaping cut under Carter’s left eye, resulting in the fight to being stopped.

In January, Nunn knocked out Rocky Granillo in the second round of a scheduled 10-rounder at the Reseda Country Club.