Good evening. A recent thread has seen some great (maybe not ATG) middles rated below Golovkin on some lists. All of the chaps who have submitted lists are much more knowledgeable than myself. I know some of you don't rate until retirement, but how does GGG handle: Conn? Cerdan? Fullmer? Zale? I see this as a 50:50 round-robin at middle. I struggle to separate them. Thanks
Conn Conn has a good chance here. A great fighter - after Greb, the best out of Pittsburgh . Excellent movement, fast hands, durable - a handful for GGG who I cannot see winning a decision. I favor Conn by decision, but a prime GGG would be dangerous over 15 rounds. Conn 9-6, but Conn would go through hell. Cerdan Cerdan, a strong rugged fighter, liked to come forward usually as he did against Zale. Against Lamotta before the shoulder injury though he fought on the back foot. Hard to say if this was a feeling out round or a fight strategy. I suspect the latter. I think Cerdan would fight on the back foot against GGG, which is probably a mistake. This being said, GGG definitely fought more cautiously against Lemieux, Jacobs, and Canelo, so I would expect a cautious first few rounds with GGG working behind his excellent jab to gain an early lead. By round 4 Cerdan presses the action, igniting a war as he attempts combination punching on his way inside GGG's jab with some success. Ignoring ring strategy, Cerdan doesn't move his head much. When he closes, he looks vulnerable for an uppercut. Marcel's competition is a little thin. GGG decision or late stoppage. Fullmer Fullmer is very strong and durable. Unfortunately for him, so is GGG. Fullmer is a good puncher. GGG is a great puncher. Fullmer is not hard to hit, comes forward, and has slow hand speed with decent, not great power. The skill level disparity is pronounced here, a bad matchup for Fullmer. I cannot see the Khazikstan Destroyer losing this matchup. GGG late stoppage. Zale A sterner test than Fullmer. A withering body puncher, Zale is a much better offensive package. Footage of Zale on YouTube is post WW2 when Zale was slightly past his prime, so analysis is based on this phaae of Zale's career. Zale's guard, exposed chin, mediocre footwork, and come forward style are bad news against GGG. GGG late stoppage.
Who knows. GGG never beat anyone whose really good at 160. He beat up on soft touches his entire career then struggled with Jacobs and Canelo. I think conn would have totally exposed GGGs slow feet, slow head movement, and leaky defense . Conn by wide decision
Billy doesn't have much of a resume at 160 and got beat a threadbare Young Corbett III. Zale is a bit overrated and Fullmer is quite a bit overrated. I would pick a prime (because he aint no more) GGG against all 3.
