1954 Archie had about his best year. He beat Maxim then knocked out Bob baker, Bert Whitehurst and Harold Johnson. Two hall of fame lightheavyweights and two heavyweights so Archie was red hot that year. Huricane Jackson? Two years later, after some improvement Jackson barely beat Baker himself but in 1954 Tommy lost twice to guys Archie easily beat and was only at the 17 fight stage. I think Moore has a significant edge. It's almost a mismatch.
Jackson also knocked out top 10 contenders rex layne Dan Bucceroni and decisioneed clarence henry. Jackson rose to number 5 contender in the world in 1954. Remember styles make fights
In fact Dan Bucceroni was top five ranked and promised a title shot against Rocky Marciano if he got by Jackson .. Jackson demolished him
Bucceroni was good. I watched film of Dans win against Slade (who beat Jackson twice) and it was it was a bitter fought war! Winning was grueling. Apparently Bucceronis form dropped right off after that fight. Lastarza knocked him down a lot of times in their rematch too. Bucceroni's shelf life had just expired about the time he fought Jackson, but he had been good. You would have liked him.
I have Bucceroni Slade on film. Don't make excuses for Bucceroni. He was in his prime when he lost to Jackson. Jackson was simply the better fighter. Just like Jackson is better than Lastarza Jackson was tall, had a long reach, was very strong, very unorthodox , had an iron chin, and had relentless stamina . The guy threw a million punches. Very tough style to beat Moore would have had his hands full
Jackson had tallent but was rushed. He was erratic and said to have been immature. He lost to Archie Moore victim Burt Whitehurst, beat three contenders then blew a fight with Slade who Moore also beat. Won another fight then got beat on the three knockdown rule against Valdes in 1954. Moore also beat Valdes. Later Tommy found form beating Charles twice, Slade and Rex Layne but would lose to Slade again and Patterson the first time, beat Baker by split decision (Who Moore knocked out) then lost horribly back to back against Patterson and machen sustaining awful beatings. As for the iron chin well Patterson, Valdes and machen had Tommy over multiple times. An old Ezzard Charles hurt him pretty bad and he wound up getting ruined later on against Hans Kabfell (another guy Archie Moore beat) and retired from boxing still aged just 28. But yes, Over all at least Jackson was a better contender than Cleveland Williams. Wins over Layne x2, Charles x2, Bucceroni, Baker and Clarance Henry most likely trump the best points win and draw Williams ever had with current rated guys.
As Patterson stopped Jackson, so would have Moore....after being troubled initially by the Hurricane's aforestated awkwardness, youth and punch output. Ancient Archie would have overcome all adversity, and would have ridden out the "storm" (pun intended) to stop his man in the 10th round.
Archie would have started to slow Jackson down in the 8th, would have decked him in the 9th and 10th rounds before applying the finisher, like I said, in the 10th.
This would have been a shooting gallery for Moore. Though Jackson's bizarre style troubled the always orthodox Patterson considerably in their first fight, Moore was far to experienced and imaginative to not figure Jackson out. I would confinidently pick Moore by knockout.
The guy that couldn't figure out Slade is gonna beat Moore? Pair Moore with a worthy opponent next time.
