I respect Zale. He was obviously tough as nails. He had some skill and he could hit. It`s hard to pick against Leonard here. He had the quickness, movement, Ring IQ too give the Man of Steel too many problems. Even if RL gets tagged and hut he knows how to recover and get through those rocky moments. Leonard by decision.
This is spot on. Zale a hard tough guy, proved that against rocky graz. He would be throwing some spiteful punches at sugar but leonard can do this. And he'll get his own good stuff in there going. Zale trys all the way to the last bell but it's sugar s hand raised.
Very hard to call. Leonard would bamboozle but Zale would not stop. When I think about those tired moments against Hagler, those slightly winded need-to-readjust moments, that is when Zale would be trying to crack ribs. Leonard at his best can fight clever and win but Zale in his prime is a different beast to any he faced.
Imo....Leonard is too slick and quick for Zale...he would be pressed, but Leonard showed he was very adept at getting his combos off, and then smothering Hagler...He would frustrate Zale the same way...Leonard points clear for me.
Leonard could possibly win a close one, but if this is a 15 rounder, away from Vegas, Zale stops him late, don't think Ray is really as tough as Tony.
Concur. SRL orchestrated the 12 rd/big ring for his fight against Hagler. SRL in for some rough time against prime Zale in rounds 13-15. Zale by SD over SRL (Hagler version).
I'd slightly lean toward Zale, the natural middleweight and a superb one. Great body puncher and that skill would be invaluable against a guy like Leonard. SRL was past peak and well above his best weight when he fought at middleweight. He still boxed superbly and would have success for decent periods particularly the first few rounds. I'm not really sure the version we saw there can beat Zale, particularly over 15. Almost a pick'em.
