By 1989, Jackson and Nunn were two of the hottest streaking fighters at the junior middleweight and middleweight divisions respectively and it would have been a great idea to put them together inside the ring at that time to determine who was the better fighter between them.
By that time, Jackson's 2nd round TKO loss to Mike McCallum in 1986 was but a faint image of the past as he resumed his amazing KO streaks with wins over In Chul Baek to capture the WBA jr middleweight title vacated by McCallum in 1987, Buster Drayton, Francisco de Jesus and Terry Norris in title defenses.
Meanwhile, Nunn was undefeated in over 30 fights, most by KO/TKO and he had established himself as Second to None Nunn with KO wins over the likes of Frank Tate for the IBF middleweight crown, Juan Domingo Roldan and Sumbu Kalambay ( for the linear championship ) and majority decision win over the formidable Iran Barkley.
Ranged side by side, Nunn fought and defeated a stronger array of opponents and in his last fight in 1989 versus Barkley, he also showed that he can also go the entire route and still win on points.
Jackson will not suffer his next defeat until 1993 at the hands of Gerard McClellan (KO3) after stringing impressive wins over Herol Graham (KO 4), Dennis Milton (KO1) and Thomas Tate (UD 12), the first time he went the distance again.
On the other hand, Nunn will suffer his first career loss in an upset 11th round TKO to another hot streaker James Lights Out Toney in 1991 after disposing off in succession Marlon Starling (MD) and Don Curry (KO). But Nunn was reportedly already having problems meeting the 160 lbs. limit by that time.
It is therefore safe to assume that by 1989-90, both Jackson and Nunn were at or already hitting their strongest prime.
Considering that Nunn had faced and beaten a more formidable array of opponents than Jackson by 1989 where he even showed versatility in carving his wins and that Jackson had problems handling an equally big, tough and talented foe (as the nearly six footer McCallum in 1986 and the taller McClellan later), I favor the 6-2 southpaw Nunn to win this mythical bout by late round KO/TKO or wide decision.
Michael Nunn had to duck Jackson if he didn't respond. I think the Hawk will bury him with a brutal hook across his chin.
i think nunn would not fall into the same trap herol graham did.herol was giving the performance of his life before being coldcocked, so unless jackson (who i had tons of respect for) scores a come from behind ko again, it's all nunn.
Impossible fight to call. When you're in with a puncher like Jackson, a guy that knock you out cold with either hand and with any punch, all bets are off. On paper I'd give Nunn an edge but no way in hell would I bet on it lol.
Would Nunn be able to avoid big left hooks and right hands all night? He was pretty much KOed by a Toney left hook and Toney's no slouch in the power dept. but he is no Jackson. I think Nunn would be too much for Jackson and he would stop him in the mid-late rounds.
