Carl Starling

Professional boxing career

Starling was born in Miami, Florida, but grew up in the Bahamas until he was a teenager. Starling considers himself a 10th generation Bahamian. He returned to Miami where he attended Miami Jackson Senior High School where he became a high school football star, playing full-back.

In 1963, the 18-year-old Starling happened upon the 5th Street Boxing Gym in Miami Beach. Looking to make a "few bucks", and with no amateur boxing background, Starling decided to become a professional prizefighter.

With his blonde hair, muscular build, movie star looks, and football-fan following, famed boxing trainer Angelo Dundee with Sol Bunotta decided to train Starling; Blackie Bethel became Starling's manager. On 18 July 1963, Starling knocked out Jim Rogers with one punch to start his professional boxing career.

Starling won his first fifteen bouts, and in The Ring Magazine (December 1963 issue), staff-writer Tom Ephrem wrote in his column, "Under Southern Skies, "On the good side of the ledger, we have a coming-up middleweight from Miami whose five wins, four by kayoes, is catching on with boxing folks. The fighter is quite a puncher. His name is Carl Starling."

Starling attracted a large number of females to his boxing matches and his nickname was "Darling Starling."

Starling was also a favorite of the Miami News. On August 8, 1963, the News reported that Carl Starling knocked out Jackie Coolbrooke in 37 seconds of the 4th round at the Little River Auditorium, in Miami, Florida. By September 1963, Starling was making the headlines in the Miami News Sports Section. The News reported on an October 3, 1963, that Starling knocked out Ernie Burns in 3 rounds. It was during this time that Starling worked as a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay).

However, Starling's promising, and undefeated career was sidelined, when he was drafted into the United States Army. Starling went on to earn his paratrooper jump-wings and served with the famed 82nd Airborne Division.

Starling returned to professional boxing in 1965, but lost his undefeated record by losing an upset decision to local club-fighter Willie Taylor on April 21. After losing another decision to Linnes Johnson in Freeport, British West Indies, on November 12, Starling announced his retirement from boxing.

Three years later, the Miami News reported that on August 15, 1968, Starling returned to the ring and met WBA World Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Ellis in a 6 round exhibition(to aid a local charity) at the Brownsville Neighborhood Center in Brownsville, Florida. Former World Lightweight Champion and Boxing Hall-of-Famer Beau Jack was the referee.

In 1971, Starling launched a boxing comeback in the Bahamas. In his first match, Starling was knocked out (for the first time in his career) in three rounds by Rennie Pinder. In his second match, Starling was knocked out in three rounds by future World Light-Middleweight Champion Elisha Obed. Starling retired following the Obed defeat.

Starling ended his professional boxing career with a record of 19-5-1. However, Boxrec.com lists him as 12-3-1. In 1991, while running for local office in Miami,Florida, Starling's record was listed as 22-3-1.

Life after boxing

In the 1970s, Starling relocated to Nassau in the Bahamas, and worked as an English teacher and coached for the Bahamas National Track Team.

Starling not only became a certified boat Captain in 1972, but also earned a Master's Degree in 1979.

He holds the Bahamian record for The 1979 Orange Bowl Marathon, running with the "Bain Town Flyers". He finished the 26 mile run in 3 hours, 2 minutes & 48 seconds.

He also worked as a swimsuit model in the US & Bahamas. He became one of the few people to survive a bull-shark attack, and years later was featured in a Miami Herald newspaper article about a recent rash of shark attacks off the Florida coast, which earned him the moniker " The Man with the Golden Smile & the Shark Bite". Due to his Bull Shark battle, he gained recognition and was offered an gig modeling underwear for Playboy of Canada. In 1976 & in 1983, he competed in the Spearfishing Nationals. In 2010 he yet again competed in the Nationals and placed 3rd. In 1991, Starling ran unsuccessfully for city commissioner in Miami-Dade County.

Starling not only became a certified boat Captain in 1972, but also earned a Master's Degree in 1979.

Film career

Starling appeared in the movie Tony Rome with Frank Sinatra in an uncredited role. Later, Starling continued working as a charter boat Captain. His 34-foot crusader sportfisherman-"Prince of Tides"- appeared in the Robert Redford motion picture Up Close and Personal, which was filmed around Miami, Florida.

Educational career

Starling retired after a 27-year teaching/counseling career with Miami-Dade County Public Schools in 2011.

Personal life

Starling is no longer married, but still holds a close relationship with his ex-wives. He has a daughter (Elena), two sons (Ryan and Drake),a grandchild and two step-children (Micah and Leanna).

Because of his recent brush with the Grim Reaper, he got the nickname "Heart of a Lion".

Extreme Daredevil Diving

On Tuesday, February 12, 2013, Starling was profiled on CBS Channel 4 Television News in Miami (Florida)as an Extreme Diving daredevil. Starling can hold his breath underwater for up to 4 minutes at a time. The 68-year-old Starling was shown diving and spearfishing under water for 4 minutes.

Best Charter Boat Captain 2013

The Miami New Times newspaper, profiled Starling as "The Best Charter Boat Captain" in the South Florida area.