Nunn Out of Camp; Fight On

Middleweight champion Michael Nunn has left his training camp 2 1/2 weeks before a title defense, severing ties with his longtime handlers, the Goossen family.

Nunn, who departed his Pine Valley retreat, near San Diego, last weekend, was unavailable for comment. He is reportedly training in Los Angeles and intends to go ahead with his April 14 bout at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas against WBC welterweight champion Marlon Starling. Nunn’s IBF middleweight title will be at stake.

“Not even close,” Mirage President Bob Halloran said when asked if Nunn’s action had endangered the fight. “I talk to (Nunn) every day. His training is going great. He’s feeling great. Everything is on schedule.

“As a matter of fact, he’s moving up his schedule and coming to Las Vegas a week early.”

Asked who would now train Nunn, Halloran replied: “That I don’t know.”

Nunn’s manager, Dan Goossen, would only say: “I can confirm that Nunn left camp. Joe (Goossen, his trainer) is still in camp, and I am here for Michael. Any further questions would have to be referred to Michael.”

The breakup culminates a troubled year for the undefeated Nunn, whose career has been handled by the Goossens since he turned professional almost six years ago.

After Nunn beat Iran Barkley last August, the criticism that had dogged him early in his career returned. He lacked both punching power and drawing power, it was said.

Nunn went home to Iowa, but eventually returned to Los Angeles and signed to fight Starling in January. That bout was postponed because, according to Dan Goossen, Nunn “fell down a flight of stairs, hurting his back.”

Nunn’s contract with Dan Goossen runs out in November. He orally agreed to a new one several weeks ago, then refused to sign it.