Nunn vs. Starling: Confusion vs. Calm

It is Michael Nunn vs. Marlon Starling. Camp Confusion vs. Camp Calm.

The countdown to Saturday’s International Boxing Federation middleweight title fight continued in the established pattern Monday.

Starling worked out publicly at the Mirage Hotel-Casino. The session was brisk, focused and, at times, lighthearted.

It was Shangri-La compared to Nunn, who was late for his appointed workout time and spent the afternoon scrambling to reschedule another.

Nunn’s training for the fight in the grand ballroom of the Mirage has been hampered by his split from Ten Goose Boxing.

If it will give Starling any edge in the bout remains to be seen, but Starling is doing his best to ignore his opponent’s difficulties.

“I don’t think about that,” said Starling. “I don’t worry about that. Michael Nunn wants to fight. The best Michael Nunn can’t beat me.”

Why?

“Because I’m better.”

Nunn’s late appearance for his workout only afforded him time to loosen up, skip rope and hit the speed bag. He did not spar.

Now being trained by Cassius Green, Nunn attempted to obtain gym time at Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Gym. But that didn’t work out, either, as two of Ten Goose’s fighters had booked time there, prompting Nunn to cancel his reservation.

There was speculation Nunn would return to the room at the Mirage and stage a private workout sometime later Monday.

Dan and Joe Goossen, Nunn’s ex-manager and ex-trainer, have two other fighters on the lineup of Saturday night’s undercard. There is no chance the Goossens will work with Nunn for Saturday’s fight or ever again.

“Nunn has cut all ties,” said Dan Goossen.

The Goossens will still receive income from the fight, but they did not come to Las Vegas hoping Nunn would change his mind and reinstate Ten Goose.

“That would be like being fired at McDonald’s and then going back for a hamburger hoping you’d get your job back,” said Dan Goossen. “We’re not here under those conditions.”

Nunn left Ten Goose March 24 when he left training camp in Pine Valley, Calif., and returned to his home in Los Angeles. The action followed a day of haggling between the Goossens and Nunn’s uncle, Marshall Jackson.

Nunn refused to sign a new contract offered by the Goossens, although he is under contract until November.

But the problems run deeper than just a contract. Nunn wants people other than the Goossens involved in his career.

Ten Goose has handled Nunn’s 34-fight pro career over a span of nearly six years. Dan Goossen said he knew things were past the point of no return when he was accused of being a thief and a liar by Jackson.

“If his uncle is speaking for Michael Nunn, then Michael is calling me a thief and a liar,” said Goossen.

Even though Nunn is the only marquee fighter Ten Goose had, Goossen said he wished Nunn no ill will.

“We gave Michael six years of our life,” he said. “We gave him 100 percent dedication, 100 percent sacrifice. We made a hell of an investment. From a business standpoint it is devastating and disappointing and we’re upset.

“Over the years I’ve developed a personal relationship with Michael. It’s like a son moving out of the house. You don’t wish him an ill will, you wish him the best. But nothing will bring him back and you can’t make him come back.”

Goossen said he did not know if Nunn would be hurt by his decision.

“Marlon Starling has a chance,” Goossen said. ‘Even without any problems, you can’t take him lightly.”