At 175, Micheal Moorer was a fierce puncher, and very aggressive. He also had a better chin than the heavyweight version, as he was obviously fighteing smaller men. His style was different than what he adopted at heavyweight. However, he never faced the best 175 pounders of his day like Charles Williams because he moved up in weight so soon. Saad was powerfull, with a good chin, great recuperative owers and unmatched heart. He could also box and move a bit when he wanted to. And he faced all the top 175 pounders of his day, except Spinks. I see this fight as similar to the Saad-Marvin Johnson wars. I think Saad's stamina, heart and late rounds power would lead him to a late rounds KO. But, Moorer would be very competitive.
Marvin Johnson put Matt through hell twice, but the powerful southpaw eventually succumbed. I believe that's what happens to Moorer, especially over the championship distance. The final time I saw Saad Muhammad in a televised bout was in his listless eight round draw with Kevin Wagstaff from Brisbane. Physically, Matt looked the same, just a superb muscular specimen. That appearance was deceiving though. Whatever internal spirit drove him to greatness was completely snuffed out. The determination, power and will to persevere and prevail, all that former insurmountable resistance under pressure, was gone. I don't know that I've ever seen anything in boxing quite like it.
At 175, its a toss-up............ At 200+ pounds, Moorer would chase Saad's ass right outta the ring......... Overall, Moorer is the better / greater fighter....... No discredit to Saad M. Neither are inducted into the IBHOF as of 2010..... I'm not sure what the list for 2011 entails since I haven't checked it..... MR.BILL
Yeah, all that you described was pretty much gone after the first Qwai fight. The Wagstaff fight was nine years later ! The first Qwai fight basically ruined Saad, although he was slightly past his peak by then. Rumors at the time were Saad didn't train hard for and underestimated Qwai and the beating he took, plus the accumulation of past hard fights, ruined him. He was a shell when he fought Qwai the second time.
Wrong. Saad's been in teh IBHOF since around 1997. This fight would never have taken place at 200 lbs since Saad fought strictly as a light heavyweight in his prime, and never higher than 190 lbs. in his career. I think we missed some great action fights when Moorer moved up heavyweight. He was extremely powerful at 175 lbs.
As for the fight itself, Moorer essentially did nothing - other than knock out B grade opponents - at 175 to prove that he was superior to Saad where it matters. Matt would've drowned him IMHO.
Okay, so Saad M. did sneak in there.... Again, that was a while ago.... Saad was struggling to make weight by 1981.... For his fight against Braxton, Saad M. had to drop 6 to 8 pounds on the day of the fight.... Saad M. lost to Braxton in 1981 long before the opening bell had sounded....... By 1982, yes, Saad M. was a mere punching bag for Braxton / Qawi on HBO.... MR.BILL
I knew Saad M. was on the road to ruin when he was eclipsed by a dude named Eric Winbush inside 3 rds somewhere in circa--'83... Saad M. carried onward as a sad joke.... Saad has a lotta ugly losses at the end of his record....... UGH! MR.BILL
I've got "Franklin-Johnson" rolling right now on tape...... 'Tis a war from Indiana.... WORD! MR.BILL
Is Marvin Johnson from Indiana in the IBHOF as of 2010? If not, I'd vote for that S.O.B... BIG TIME!! He's worthy..... WTF? MR.BILL
