The Best of the Rest: 175lbs Tier II Tournie - Round 1 - 3: Michael Moorer TKO10 Yaqui Lopez

At some point this becomes a fight and at LHW Yacqui was more tested and more seasoned. I just think he will be able to tap into that bit extra.

That's not to say Moorer lacked heart. He proved his heart in the Cooper, Stewart and Holy 2 heavyweight brawls. But Yacqui was that close to making it in the absolute pomp of the LHW division on toughness alone almost. Again, Yacqui wasn't without skills but he couldn't compete with his peers on that front. He got as far as he did on ruggedness and heart.

IMO, Moorer busts him up early but then Yacqui takes over and breaks him down. Moorer was big at LHW and the weight loss could leave him drained, especially if it is same day weigh in as I think it was for both men's LHW careers.

I wouldn't bet a penny on it though. Michael had skills, power and toughness at LHW. I'm actually wondering why I chose Lopez as I type this. Michael has so many advantages on paper I just think, due to the quality of his opposition, Lopez edges it. He will have seen what Moorer brings, whereas poor old Michael won't know what's hit him when Yacqui keeps roaring back - which he would.

If this is a 15 rounder rather than 12, along with same day weigh-in, I think that tilts it just enough in Yacqui's favour for a tight decision or even a TKO with Moorer protesting through his bloodied lips.

 

I think the 1950's rules make it tough for Moorer to make weight. With his power and size, he would certainly be fighting at heavyweight. With that said, I would take Moorer in this match-up without hesitation even though I think very highly of Lopez. Moorer did not fight long at 175 but logic says if he could handle Holyfield, Botha, Schultz, Cooper, Jirov etc at Heavyweight, Lopez doesn't stand much of a chance.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks that are going to disagree with me and point out his losses to Foreman and blah blah blah but there is a hell of difference in power between Foreman/Tua and Lopez.

 

I think Moorer may have had the talent to be better than Lopez, but he was never truly tested at 175.
So I'll pick Lopez by TKO

 

With no weight issues to contend with, I think the southpaw sexiness of magical Michael (and with his brutal punch) can end this one. He was an absolute bomber at the weight, he had skills and he was absolutely massive. That said, he didn't hit harder than Saad or Spinks IMO, but did he need to? Over 15, they both got the job done. I think his unorthodox use of his right could cause Lopez trouble, as it's hard enough fighting an elite southpaw for the first time, it's a lot harder when they're using unorthodox angles and punches you aren't expecting are coming from them. I take Moorer, but if Lopez was able to walk through the fire and get to Michael, it'd be really interesting. I just don't like someone with the (lack of) defence which Lopez had against Moorer.

 

Lopez by slaughter

 

It's the weight that bothers me most, Steak. When Moorer jumped, he didn't just gain 10-15lbs and slot in at cruiser. He went the full leap to modern sized heavy.

Of course, weighing 230lbs or so made him a bit fleshy but in his heavyweight debut, I believe he weighed 205 and was solid. So that means he must have been incredibly tight 30lbs south of that and that may have compromised his endurance. You don't want to have left a load of strength behind when you're going into the later rounds with Lopez. Moorer's record at LHW belies a great puncher with all the early finishes but that might have masked problems down the stretch if he couldn't get his man out of there.

Also, Moorer left the light heavies at 23, before he had gained mental maturity. He may have been a bit green when he was still able to make 175. I'm pleased to see the poll so tight (great match up, btw, @McGrain). I can't agree with @louis54 that this will be a slaughter. If it is, then it's a dual slaughter because this is closely matched. But both men will have more than their share of moments and the winner will really have to want it. That is my rationale for going with Lopez.

 

The weight is without question the biggest issue but with McGrain's 18hr weigh in clarification, I am confidently taking Moorer. He without question had the power to hurt Lopez who was stopped 6 times in his career(Spinks and DeLeon he was past his prime) and I believe he was the more durable fighter. I know some are going to scoff at that but the fact is the only two men that knocked moorer out were Foreman and Tua who were two of the hardest punching humans ever. Moorer got knocked down plenty in his career but he always got back up except for those two fights.

Bottom line for me, if it's a fire fight I'm taking Moorer's power. If it's a more technical fight which I don't see between these two, I'll take Moorer's right jab and combination punching over Lopez's pressure and volume.

 

Every point a belter. I also agree about Moorer's durability. Not many light heavies could go to war with Bert Cooper and Alex Stewart, get nailed flush, and prevail.

I've changed my mind. Your last para turned me.

 

Lopez had more heart