big abe. why? because abe Ko'd walcott and the first time went a good few rounds against a peak Joe louis in a real fight for the title where as valdes was knocked flat by louis in an exhibition in 1950.
From what I've seen I'd say Abe Simon. He looks a lot stronger and less fragile. He's ugly and cumbersome but he's a bit lump to fight. And he can soak it up. Unless you're a speed demon or stacked with skills he's going to pose a nightmare. Videos of Nino Valdes have been posted and completely failed to impress.
Buddy Baer and Lem Franklin took him out. Neither were speed demons or skilled fighters. In fact Abe had his best success against most of the smaller opponents he fought, but struggled against men with size.
valdes was not his size either. he was just over 200 at his best. I just dont see valdes beating any version of walcott.
Lem Franklin wasn't Abe Simon's size but it didn't stop Franklin from flattening him. Simon did decent against 180-190 pound opponents but he wasn't a very good heavyweight at all. Valdes is still more impressive to me based on record and film, though he was no all-time great himself. I would not put it past Valdes to beat the 1930-1940 Walcott, who did not beat anyone of note and lost to men such as Al Ettore, Billy Ketchell, George Brothers, Roy Lazer. After all Valdes did beat a "prime" Ezzard Charles (in your own words). Against Simon, Walcott ran out of stamina and seemingly quit while he was ahead from what I've read. He had probably not prepared for the fight accordingly.
Actualy by the time abe simon beat him walcott had already beat guys of much note like Curtis hatchet man shepered (who was rated and knocked out maxim in 1 round) elmer ray (who knocked out a peak savold quicker than marciano) who walcott KO'D. young walcott still had a lot of class. jack blackburn wanted to sign him, boxing people in the know knew from the off that he was going places under the right guidence. Yes i still stand by that lol!! lots of fighters in their prime drop close fights when their schedule is too busy. take jack dempsey against meehan. ray robinson against lamotta. etc etc. charles is no exception of this. there is a very good chance you are corect. if so abe still beat a world class fighter at worse.
Elmer Ray was 2-5 at the time, Sheppard was 7-2. Walcott didn't go places in 1930-1940, he was pretty much a journeyman. Only after 1945 did he put it all together. Prior to that, his career was going nowhere. Walcott was not yet world class at that point. All in all I can't give Simon too much credit for that win. He took a beating for 5 rounds and defeated an unprepared opponent. Simon's wins over Eddie Blunt (whom he also lost to), Gunnar Bärlund and Al Delaney were more highly regarded at the time.
at the end of the day big awkward, limited simon gave a peak joe louis - the best heavyweight there has been, a fight worthy of a rematch. valdes was kocked flat by a faded older version.
It wasn't worthy of a rematch, but Abe Simon got one anyway since it was a charity bout. Simon served as a human punching bag to Louis for a total of 19 rounds but I don't see how this puts him above Valdes in any category except possibly in toughness. Simon with his non-existant defense was hardly knockout proof however and Valdes was fairly durable himself, and he could punch too. Valdes was a part time fighter who had not faced any world class opposition as of yet when he had boxing exhibitions with Joe Louis. He was knocked out once but lasted rounds other times. Lem Franklin bounced Abe Simon around like a basketball in an actual fight. He was saved by the bell in round 2 against Louis the second time. There are a lot of negatives that can be brought up about both fighters and for me it comes down to their strengths. Valdes has more "upside" than Simon does in my opinion. Simon despite his size was not truly a big puncher and would rather maul his much smaller opponents in the clinches to wear them out. I don't see this being a successful strategy against Valdes who had a powerful jab in front of him and could handle himself in the clinches. Simon is just going to walk into punishment and I can't see him outpointing Valdes.
