Mickey Walker v Gerald McClellan 160

Walkers a proven ATG
While McClellan left alot of unanswered questions.
Ill take Walker

 

McClellan by brutal 3rd rd KO

 

I love Walker. But, McClellan would appear to be several weight classes bigger come fight time, and would likely win by KO. If Gerald had to make 160 under the same day weigh ins of Walker's era, it might change things. But, I doubt Gerald would have been able to make 160 on the day of a fight.

 

Why would McClellan appear to be several weight classes bigger ?
Walker fought as high as 170+

 

McClellan had 5 inches in height, 10 inches in reach, and comfortably carried 20 plus pounds more than Walker without an ounce of fat. Walker began as a Welterweight, grew into an undersized Middleweight, and his toughness allowed him to compete briefly and unsuccessfully at 170. McClellan was never truly a middleweight. He was a Light Heavyweight who sweated down to 160 with the benefit of not having same day weigh ins. If the two of them were in the ring together, the size differential would be huge. And McClellan had elite power to go with that size. It would likely be a bridge too far for Walker (who I rate much higher both P4P and historically.) There is a small chance that Walker is cagey enough to frustrate McClellan, and squeak out a decision. But, McClellan is a pretty good boxer himself, and I think he catches Walker at some point.

 

McClellan beat 1 world rated fighter in his career. He didn't crack 100 rounds fought. I think he actually has a losing record in fights going 8 or longer (on cell phone, cant verify now). He moved up and nearly got killed promptly. And, the wheels were already on their way off prior to the Benn fight.

He was a vicious fighter, and with a puncher like him there's always a punchers chance, but I can't favor him over Walker with that track record.

 

Well, however big McClellan was, Walker beat bigger men. Walker fought and beat legitimate heavyweights. Walker even stood up during quite a bad beating from Max Schmeling, who was 190 pounds and a hard hitter.

 

I agree Walker was tough as nails, and clearly wouldn't shy away from this fight. But, I think it would go just like Walker - Schmelling, with the heavy artillery of McClellan stopping Walker eventually. I suppose I should never rule out a win for Walker against someone with such relative inexperience as McClellan. But, McClellan was a BEAST. I think he would have beaten GGG.

 

He won a couple of 8 rounders.
He lost an 8-rounder and lost a 6-rounder. And was stopped by Benn in the 10th.

His other wins were all inside 3 rounds, except his first fight with Julian Jackson that lasted into the 5th.

 

Well, he beat Julian Jackson and he lost to Nigel Benn.
I don't think that's enough to say he beats GGG even, nevermind Walker. But he was definitely a monster.

 

Definitely. I know I tend to play devil's advocate on McClellan, but I'd give him very realistic shots to beat some guys outside of his pay grade...just not a great chance to beat someone as proven as Walker. His size, power, and aggression at 160 would be a problem for alot of very good fighters.

 

It would be hard to justify favouring McClellan based on the thin resume that circumstances allowed him to accrue.

 

Walker was like Benn but better.

 

Walker lost to Harry Greb in a WW Champ vs MW Champ fight. Shame that complete film doesn't exist being you might judge what Walker might do to finesse' MCClellan w/o just standing there taking bombs. Walker is tough...but with the size difference, you can only expect so much.