Which Heavyweight Champions Does Archie Moore Beat?

Schmeling was also blantantly robbed in the rematch

Yes,

But we all know a 1927 Dempsey was Way over the hill, and nothing like the prime 1936 Louis whom Schmeling destroyed.

Let's compare common opponents between Schmeling and Sharkey

Mickey Walker

Schmeling: TKO 8
Sharkey: Draw 15

Johnny Risko:

Schmeling: TKO 9
Sharkey: W 10, L 10

Joe Louis:

Schmeling: KO 12
Sharkey: KO by 3



Schmeling did much better


Again the big difference is Schmeling beat Louis. Schmeling showed he was capable of beating the greatest of all time. Whom did Sharkey beat on the level of a Louis?

 

Schmeling was undoubtedly the better fighter in hindsight, but Sharkey could perform at the Schmeling level, when he was on form.

Its just a shame that he was a headcase.

 

I don't see Schmeling as better but he was better by 31 as Sharkey peaked between 26 - 28 or so .. he was not the same fighter after that .. I find either one tough on specific nights but not that great by any means as a whole ..

 

Schmeling was a great fighter he fought many quality opponents at their peak and cooled them off. Uzcudon in the first fight, Walter Neusal in the first fight, Joe Louis, he sent Mickey Walker packing from the division. He stopped Risko and ended Hamas career. Most of these guys were hot when Max defeated them and most of them traded wins with each other while Max clearly bettered them. Second best heavy of the decade behind only the immortal Louis.

 

He knocked out a prime joe Louis, the greatest of all time. This win alone easily puts him way above Sharkey.

He also boxed sharkeys ears off in 32, terrible decision.

Knocked out Mickey Walker Johnny Risko whom beat and drew with Sharkey.

 

Fair argument

 

I'm aware .. I just think that was an example of a highly focused veteran schooling a very over confident very young fighter with a significant flaw .. he didn't do too well in the rematch for which he was highly prepared , did he ?

He was getting his head handed to him in the first Sharkey fight.

He got destroyed by a very limited Max Baer.

Sharkey peaked in the 20's and was already past his best by 30 .. his overall record in the 30's is poor .. I think both on good nights were very solid , neither was great .. Schmeling more consistent, Sharkey at his best a bit better ...

 

Probably not many. As it was, he fought two of the smallest heavyweight champions in history and lost to both. Of course Archie was getting up there in age, but then again when did a young Archie Moore ever campaign for the title? Some people have listed James Douglas, Michael Moorer, Ingo Johannson and a comeback Foreman as potential Moore victims. I disagree. I don't think I'd favor him against any of those guys or at least not when their game was on.. Leon Spinks, Marvin Hart and maybe some of the lesser talented alphabet champions are possible wins for the Mongoose, but that doesn't say much as there were obscure contenders that I might even favor to beat that lot.

 

If Ken Norton is a great heavyweight Archie Moore cannot be far behind. Neither won the true title and both were excelent contenders for a number if years in the fact that they both beat rated heavyweights.

 

Yes I forgot that the smallest champions were so easy to beat..

 

That wasn't my implication. But if he can't get past Floyd and Rocky the disadvantage is only going to increase against many of the others. Also bare in mind that neither Rocky nor Floyd were at their best. Floyd was 21 years old while Rocky was 33 and in the last fight of his career. Both beat him convincingly. I'm not even sure I'd be comfortable picking Archie to beat Ken Norton.

 

Archie didn't start mixing with heavies until 1946.

Louis only met 4 selective opponents in his final years.

Charles officially started gunning for the title in 48 and won it shortly after, so Moore stayed clear of him.

Once Charles was out of the picture, Moore campaigned for the HW title, and was denied until Rocky finally gave him his shot.


I think Moore's wins over Sheppard, Baker, Valdes, Bivins, Henry, Satterfield, Lavorante..etc, suggest he could probably beat those Champions.

 

I wouldn't favor him based on those credentials as I don't think those men were as good as the heavyweight champions in question. it also does little or nothing for the styles argument or the physical disadvantages he'd be dealing with.