Harry Wills v Ron Lyle15rds?

As far as I can see, Lyle hit harder, Wills was the better all around boxer, with good power. Wills by UD.

 

Based on results attained, the smart money would be with Wills.

 

Hmmm very good matchup actually tbh.

Wills is a very good body puncher and that might prove the difference in the close exchanges, especially if Wills is allowed to clinch.

I would back Wills but not with any money.

 

I rate Lyle, but his best wins tended to be against opponents that were towards the tail end of their career. Not that I don't give him a chance, I just feel more comfortable taking Wills in this one.

 

Wills was actually a very complete fighter.

He could box, he could punch, and he could take a punch.

He was versatile, and employed a wide range of strategies.

He could probably find a way to beat Lyle.

 

I would go with Wills. However what I see on film of Wills does not greatly impress me. However films of the man in his prime are nonexistent.

 

There's film of him against Firpo

 

Many would argue that this was after his prime.

 

Certainly there are no films available of Wills in his prime.

 

Based on what evidence though, yeah he was 35 but he was in the best run if form he had in his whole career and this was his showcase fight to underline his status as number 1 challenger.

 

There was some talk in the press that he had slowed down after this fight, which is hardly implausible in a 35 year old fighter.

Either way, it is clear from contemporary accounts that Wills was a bit of a chameleon.

He changed his style based on his opponents, so the footage that we have is likely an incomplete picture.

 

Incomplete is something i agree with but we can clearly see what he is and is not capable of.

I don't recall ever hearing about him being quick or athletic so I'm not sure how much he will have slipped.

He was known for not being the most aesthetically pleasing of boxers but it is harsh judging him negatively on the footage.

It is foolish dismissing the footage entirely though especially when a victory over a prime Firpo is one of the best if his career. Like Hopkins beating Pavlick, not entirely prime Hopkins but you can tell a lot from the footage.

 

I suspect that you could find two of Will’s bouts where he looked like a completely different fighter.

He fought conservatively and negated his opponent in the Firpo fight, but then he could turn tiger as he did against Fulton and Norfolk.

We are looking at a fighter with layers to his game.

 

Is that any different to any safety first fighters who goes for the kill once an opponent is hurt?