I have to favor Archie Moore. But I’m also confident that Saad would make this a competitive fight. I’ve got a lot of respect for both of these men.
If Matthew is still standing after seven or eight rounds — and he had a way of doing that even while soaking up punishment — then look out. But I’d have to take Archie. He’d build a big lead same as many MSM opponents but the Mongoose would have enough savvy to survive Muhammad’s savage rally and see the final bell with enough rounds tucked into his back pocket to walk away with a decision.
Not the best of matchups for Mathew. He had troubles with Mustafa Muhammad, and Moore was even more cagey and carried a better punch. Miracle Matt could be a bit of trouble if you were willing to trade, and I think Archie might get caught early, or later giving a scare to the old Mongoose. In the end Archie would wear down Matt. I don’t see it going the distance.
This would be a fantastic fight. Moore defeats Matthew Saad Muhammad by a decision. Matthew could beat an older version of Moore but prime for prime I gotta go with the smarter, greater, more accomplished fighter. These two are probably both in my top 5 favorite boxers of all time.
Moore decisions Muhammad. Archie outboxes Saad early on and has the smarts and durability not to take too much punishment from his opponent's inevitable late round surges.
What a great matchup this would have been.Have to go with Archie but he would have a hell of a fight on his hands
If Matt Franklin could revert to his earlier self, fight more patiently and behind his jab. He could frustrate the "Old Mongoose " possibly win a split decision. But Saad Muhammad wasn't that guy. Saad Muhammad would go at Moore aggressively, looking to land some serious firepower. Leaving gaps for Moore to exploit with brilliant counters. It probably would be fight of the year if both are close to or in their primes, and we'd beg for a 2nd and 3rd fight. But I see the " Mongoose " getting a late stoppage. But he would need a long break after it.
