I can't help but feel like Moorer catches Ward eventually. He'd be behind on the cards at the time, but when he lands big I don't think Ward's chin would handle it. And 175 Moorer was an excellent finisher once he put a guy in trouble. Moorer KO 10.
Interesting fight. Moorer was a massive puncher at 175 but we never got to see him against the best guys of his era at 175. Logic says that he would be a very dangerous opponent for Ward but Ward was a world class boxer that I could see outpointing MM. It really is difficult to truly evaluate MM at 175.
Moorer was hurt badly by Frankie Swindell I doubt he could have taken the right hand that first put Kovalev in trouble when he lost the rematch to Ward, Andre was far more skilled than Moorer who was extremely basic at 175 and would have been out-classed, Kovalev would have destroyed Moorer also.
Tricky one to call as they're both difficult to accurately rate at 175. Moorer blew away just about everyone he faced at the weight, but his opposition was very average for the most part. Leslie Stewart - whose level had already been confirmed by a few previous losses - was probably the quickest and most talented guy he faced there, and he gave Moorer a lot of problems before Moorer's power eventually won the day. Kovalev is a big advance on anyone Moorer fought or beat at Light-Heavyweight, and the fact that Ward recovered from / negated his power helps Andre's case here....But nevertheless, both of those two wins are still controversial and not fully satisfactory in some quarters, for differing reasons. Gun to my head, I'll go with Moorer. He wasn't quite greased lightning at 175, but appreciably faster there than he was as a Heavyweight and I think he'd be more or less on equal terms with Ward in that respect. Ward was used to being the quicker guy but might not have that advantage (at least not to any serious degree) against a Light-Heavyweight version of Moorer. Ward also relied on being the master and physically stronger man on the inside, pushing opponents back. While Moorer wasn't an inside fighter per se, he was at least more willing at 175 to throw punches in close than he was as a Heavyweight, and given that he was still effective (if a bit dull sometimes) later on while weighing up to 215 - 220 lb, Ward might have trouble outmuscling him. Moorer by late TKO with the fight pretty close up to that point.
I don't buy into the narrative that Moorer was a beast at LHW. He didn't fight at a high enough level for it to be true. In fact Ward has more proven power at LHW stopping a beast like Kovalev. Ward has a better resume at LHW. Ward has more than enough to handle Moorer imo.
I see this unfolding similar to the first fight with Kovalev. Sergei kept distance better compared to Moorer, which was partly what allowed him to outbox Ward, but I regard the latter to be the more dangerous and better all-around fighter. I lean slightly toward Michael’s physicality, though the styles would be no worse for Ward than Kovalev’s.
Jesus... Moorer wastes him. Moorer had excellent skills, absolutely superior offensive skills. And he was a legit lightheavy, better than legit, a melted down heavyweight. Speed, power, combos, concise two-handed puncher. Ward just couldn't hang with that firepower on his spoiler tactics.
Came to say this, don't know how any heavyweight champion from the 90s losses to Ward so why would Moore?
Ward would take Moorer apart. He's one of the smartest boxers ever. I'm sure you all picked against him in real life, probably several times. Those picks didn't go so well.
Moorer is a different beast than Kovalev.A much more complete and technically sound fighter.His piston jab and infighting ability are excellent.It would be too much for ward
This one is worth adding a poll as it's pretty evenly split. I'm picking Ward - he might have to get off the floor to win - but he's just the better all round fighter in my view.
I like ward here. He might have to climb off the floor and look shaken up, but late rounds KO for him.
I think some maybe overrating Moorer at 175, he was far, far better at Heavy. MM was almost a complete novice at Light Heavy but with dynamite in his fists. He had issues at times with an ancient Leslie Stewart and his bouts Allen and Stonewalker showed further how much he needed to develop. At Heavyweight Moorer learned a lot more and became a more rounded fighter. Ward was superb at 175. Yes, he did have an average chin, which would always be a factor in a Moorer fight. But the gulf in class between the two at the weight makes me think the only debate is if Ward stops Micheal or wins a near shut out. With hindsight we know Moorer had heart when hurt so I think he makes it to the final bell, but does so winning two rounds tops.