Two of the toughest fighters going 15 rds. for the Championship. How does it end. Your opinion is appreciated. Cheers
I didn`t know Moore fought at middle and seeing how he floored a hard punching heavy like Marciano I doubt Zale would have lasted long unless this is a catchweight fight which would weaken Moore who knocked out more light heavies than any fighte in history and certainly more than Zle who never fought at 175.
This would be a barn-burner. Of course, I would favor Archie, but Zale could sap a man of his energy with a terrific assault to the body. Had they fought back in the mid 40s when Archie competed as a middleweight, I would have chosen Zale to take a decision. However, prime for prime I would definitely pick Moore by a close decision.
A very good thread, Archie Moore had that crossed arm defense, and gave Rocky Marciano all he could handle in 1955, before falling prey to Marciano in round 9. He even floored Rocky prior to the stoppage loss. The Man Of Steel, Tony Zale was a terror at 160 lbs in the 1940's, but moving up to 175 lbs would have hampered him, as far as taking punches given his style. Zale's body attack would have been ineffective against Archie. Moore would have sent him back with his right hand, and Tony would not be able to find an answer to the riddle that is Moore's defense. Ageless Arch takes out Zale in round 9.
As a middleweight, Archie lost to Burley, Eddie Booker, Aaron Wade, and dropped 2 of 3 to Shorty Hogue. A middleweight Moore vs Zale would appear to be a pretty even match.
If each man enters the ring at his respective best, this is Archie’s fight by late round stoppage or unanimous decision.