Moorer at the time was struggling with the likes of Leslie Stewart, he was a talented novice. Hill was light years ahead and would win comfortably, maybe even on a late stoppage if Manny decides it is best to pull his man out.
I went with Virgil Hill.. Too skilled, too experienced and just a better light heavyweight than Moorer ever hung around long enough to prove to being. Moorer's fight with former WBA champ Leslie Stewart told me a lot. He was getting schooled for most of the evening before stopping Leslie in the 8th.
I feel a fight with Virgil Hill would've brought out the best in Moorer at light heavyweight. I feel it would be a good competitive fight but at some point after the first 5-6 rounds Moorer would get to Hill and the fight would turn in his favor. I feel Moorer would have to put together an onslaught over a few rounds to finally take Hill out....
Very good and compelling fight. What guy does what they want in this? I think Hill and his ability to fight effictively backing up are what works here. Lets face it, MM has to go forward. And Moorer is so accurate with those hands. And everything is a combo. I think it's a 7-5 in rounds and you can pick the winner. I sure don't think in a 3 bout series either of these guys acan go 3-0 against this opponent. And Hill had lots of close calls in there but he was seasoned and conditioned for that kind of fight. It takes a certain skill for a guy to win a bunch of close fights & Hill had that skill. He'd need it. Leaning towards Hill and that good jab to win more rounds. I think Moorer will wait too long---remember he liked to get a guy positioned just right & then he'd throw. And land. I just think Hill is elusive enough so Michael does not get off his punches the way he should or could. And drops a few rounds he could win by pressing on the gaspedal. Good fight and it'd be a career best win at 175 for either guy.
To be perfectly honest Moorer never really impressed me as a fighter, either as a light-heavy or heavy. He continually talked about his love of violence and horror movies etc. but on more than one occasion he seemed disinterested or unfocussed, not so much this big scary guy but someone who was at least on occasion strangely reticent. Msybe it's as Zadfrak says...very methodical and waited to throw shots guaranteed to land. Hill had his problems too but he did have really good movement, a nice jab and serviceable right hand. Not to mention as said lots of experience. Oh, and a pretty decent chin. True, he lost to the best guy he ever faced at 175 (Hearns) but Moorer is no Hearns, not even the faded version that beat Hill. Hill will know what to do and how. For ne he takes a decision.
Hill, for me was the better, more proven, well rounded fighter...alas, he was IMO, a silver medal winner in the pro's too....but he had skills and a savvy that would carry him through over Moorer any day.
I think some people under estimate Moorer's skills. IMO he had some of the most crisp short punches you will ever see. He was even quite powerful as a heavyweight as he threw such good pin point punches that not even the big men could take. Moorer's timing was great and as light heavyweight he set a torrent pace. Truly I think he was one of the more devastating light heavyweights of all time I know he doesn't have the big wins to prove it at light heavyweight but based on what I've seen I think very highly of him. Moorer seemed to lack most was mental (in some ways). I feel if the fight had taken place with Virgil Hill at that stage of Moorer's career he'd come as focused as ever and I feel Moorer had the kinda stuff to overwhelm Virgil Hill and many other very good light heavyweights.
Maybe. And things like a terrific right hook from that southpaw stance. Uppercuts with both hands but landing uppercuts on a Virgil Hill would be pretty tough to do.but he threw darts with both hands. The problem here is not getting a guy that stands in front of him. A guy like Hill forces him to use his legs & legs are just not his strong suit. The other problem is Hill is no risk taker. He's happy to stink out a joint and not fall prey to crowd boo-birds. That type opponent is going to be tough on MM. I like Moorer best against guys that are right in front of him & not the pick and peck types. But that accuracy of those hands from a southpaw are going to be tough on Hill. And Hill struggled with lots of guys less skillful than a Michael Moorer. He'd be walking a tightrope of sorts and the first guy getting fatigued here is in big trouble.
