do you really believe he can get inside and close enough to land that big left hook of his against BIG JESS?and is he does what will the reaxction be from willard? will he go down or merely smile at tony and keep swatting away?
The Willard from the Johnson fight is likely too much of an obstacle for Galento to surmount. He was especially durable and packed a lethal wallop behind that duanting range.
No, Galento was a genuine world class puncher who was also durable, I just think he is badly matched here.
I remember seeing Galento on a TV interview saying he'd beat Willard, and that he beat men as big as him. Then again, Galento reckoned he could beat anyone, even after he retired - he said he could beat Clay and Liston both in 1964. I think Willard would have beat him.
It is good that Galento is getting his due on this site now, but looking at threads like this, I wonder if his proponents (myself included) overstated the case.
Yeah, I used to campaign on behalf of Galento's reputation against the assumption that he was some "joke" fighter plucked out of a saloon to fight Joe Louis for the championship. He was not quite a joke. He was a tough fighter with serious power who beat a few decent names and deserved to be considered a contender in the late 30s. He's not on the short list for "worst title challenger", not even close. The man could really hit. Still, I'd hesitate to find a world champion I'd favour him to beat. Maybe he could be 50-50 against some of the one-hit-wonder champs, and the lower grade alphabet champs, but even an unremarkable champ like Willard has to be favoured strongly, not least because of the obvious physical advantages, style and of course a solid jaw ! Hey guys, I was only joking when I said Galento would beat Ali !
