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Born on April 14th, 1963, in Davenport, Michael Nunn compiled a 54-4 record in the ring, with 35 knock outs. Nunn possessed speed and quickness that made his talent instantly recognizable; he began his boxing career with 8 knock out victories.

By the time he fought for his first world title, Nunn had compiled a record of 26 wins with no losses while capturing the North American Boxing Federation Middleweight title. On July 28, 1988, Nunn faced Frank Tate, who was also undefeated at the time posting a record of 23-0, 13 KO’s. In a fight that was scheduled for 15 rounds, Nunn defeated Tate in 9 rounds, winning by technical knock out before a large crowd at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

His career peaked in 1989 when he knocked out former WBA Middleweight titleholder Sumbu Kalambay in just one round, a feat that earned him Ring Magazine’s 1989 “Knockout of the Year”. After successfully defending his title three times in a short period, he was considered to be one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters.
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But in a fight in Davenport against James “Lights Out” Toney, Nunn seemed on his way towards another victory when he was knocked out. Nunn jumped up in weight class to fight for the Super Middleweight title against Randall Yonker, winning a TKO victory. He defended that title five times until he faced underdog Steve Little, who had a record of 21 wins with 13 loses. Little won a shocking split decision and took the title from Nunn. at the time, surprised the world by winning a split decision and taking the title away from Nunn. After that loss, Nunn would fight several more times and again move up in weight class to Light Heavyweight where he again reigned as NABF champion for a short period.

Nunn fought until the age of 39, but he never lived up to the expectations of his youth. With his boxing career over, Nunn’s life began to unravel and he turned to drugs and other crime. Over the course of his life, Nunn received convictions for drug possession, unlawful use of weapons and assaulting a police officer.

On August 6th, 2002, in an undercover FBI drug sting, Nunn was arrested for possession of Cocaine with intent to distribute. He was arrested in a Davenport hotel while purchasing one kilogram of Cocaine from an undercover FBI agent. The street value of the drug was reported to be an estimated $24,000. 

Nunn pleaded guilty to the charge of one count of conspiracy to distribute Cocaine. During a three-day sentencing hearing involving testimony from friends and fellow inmates, prosecutors weaved together evidence that showed Nunn had been dealing drugs since as far back as 1993. U.S. District Judge William Gritzner sentenced Michael Nunn to more than 24 years in Federal Prison.

Michael Nunn