Nunn Expected to Defend IBF Title Against Barkley in Las Vegas Bout

Although negotiations are far from complete, the best bet for Michael Nunn’s next fight is July 22 at Caesars Palace against Iran Barkley.

Said his manager, Dan Goossen: “While I know Michael would love to fight at the Forum, we feel home is Las Vegas. We love Las Vegas.”

Goossen is scheduled to meet with a Caesars official next week.

“We have told (promoter) Bob Arum that he has leeway to match us with any middleweight in the world,” Goossen said of an opponent. “We would have no problem fighting a Ron Essett, a Mike McCallum or an Iran Barkley. But of course, different opponents mean different money.”

Barkley, the former World Boxing Council champion, is the preferred opponent, however, and Nunn, who had a first-round knockout of Sumbu Kalambay 10 days ago, should have no trouble getting his demands met.

Should Nunn, the International Boxing Federation middleweight champion, win his next fight, Goossen envisions the North Hollywood boxer fighting twice more in 1989, possibly against the loser of the June 12 showdown between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns.

“We have no problem fighting the loser,” Goossen said. “I’d much prefer to fight the winner.”

That doesn’t figure to happen. The winner has a probable match against Roberto Duran in November. But beyond that, should Leonard and Nunn remain unbeaten, they could meet in the spring of 1990.