Moorer was really strong in the light heavyweight division, a very technical and powerful southpaw, Emanuel Steward spoke highly of him, too bad that in his period the 175 pounds did not have big names, unlike 10 years earlier. Johnson was also the world champion in the light heavyweight division, he was an excellent counterpuncher and he was a tough opponent for Archie Moore in their fights. It is not an easy prediction, I say Moorer on points, the difference in power could have been decisive.
Moorer. Moorer has been the only long term successful LHW/HW combo fighter since Archie Moore and Johnson. If we count his belt Moorer is the first LHW champ with a 100% KO rate since Wild Bill Hanrahan. Hanrahan did it sub .500. Moorer did it undefeated. While I don't recognize Moorers belt that doesn't mean I don't recognize his talent and potential to steamroll LHW like we acknowledge Pattersons during Johnsons time. Moorer was up 7-2 on Foreman at HW albeit an old one. Johnson on the other hand is overrrated IMO in the smallest era of HW. Johnson didn't have a single fight over 10 rounds at HW. Which matters because most of Johnsons top wins at HW except Valdes were very close 10 round decisions. While Valdes was large he was best giant in the smallest era and an inconsistant one at that. Johnson fought Moore admirably in their 5 fight series but Moore couldn't defeat Marciano or Patterson. What does this say about Johnsons chances versus Moorer? Johnson also sort of inherited the LHW belt by aging Moore out. Not his fault he fought the man 5 times it just is what it is.
If they fight at 175 ( as suggested in the OP ) then I’m making Harold Johnson the favorite. Moorer faced no one of serious status at light heavy except Leslie Stewart who was outboxing him before getting clipped..
