Nunn’s Next Foe Finds Success on Alternate Route

It might appear that middleweight Orlando Paulding is trying to make a career as an ideal opponent.

Last spring in Houston, he was considered a tuneup for Vincent Boulware, a 1984 U.S. Olympic team alternate who had never lost as a professional.

Paulding stopped Boulware (then 14-0) in the first minute for his fifth win in his last six fights.

His role as a supposed stepping-stone worked out so well that Paulding is going to try another U.S. Olympic alternate.

Against another middleweight who has yet to lose since turning professional.

Against another fighter who looks at Paulding as a tuneup.

This time, the credentials are more impressive. Michael Nunn of North Hollywood is 18-0 with 11 knockouts and has risen to the eighth spot in the World Boxing Assn. ratings. Nunn is also ranked 19th by the World Boxing Council.

He has signed to meet Paulding on Oct. 28 in the 10-round main event at the Reseda Country Club.

Nunn, who has thrived on a lot of work since turning pro under the Ten Goose Boxing Club of North Hollywood two years ago, will be back at the Country Club on Nov. 21 on a fight card to be nationally televised by ESPN. His opponent for that night has yet to be named.

While Nunn continues to work in Reseda toward what he hopes will be an eventual title shot, Charles Nwokolo will continue to work in the shadow of a legendary titleholder in Universal City.

The legend is former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Dick Tiger, Nwokolo’s uncle who died of liver cancer in 1971 at the age of 42. Nwokolo calls himself Young Dick Tiger.

Nwokolo, a native of Nigeria as was his uncle, will face Jaime Montano (22-1, 21 knockouts) of Obregon, Mexico, in a 10-round fight Oct. 22 at the Universal Sheraton.

Also on the Universal card that night will be an eight-round super lightweight match between Elias Madrid (21-0-1, 16 knockouts) of Sylmar and Davey Guerra (12-6, eight knockouts) of Lansing, Mich.

Madrid has not fought since December, 1984, because of two ankle injuries and a rib injury.