Zale would take him out abit like Hagler-Hearns me thinks or maybe Zale-Graziano 3 but they would slit a series maybe
Tony is really getting sold short here, what makes anyone think that Tommy would blast him out of there within a round or two as if he were some no hoper bum? They didn`t call him the man of steel for no reason after all, the guy was durable as hell and had an iron will along with some very good boxing ability and technical skills of his own not to mention his very good punching power, the man was no creampuff thats for sure. Frankly I like Tony here to be honest, he was a dedicated body puncher and a very strong guy physically as well and I never liked Tommy`s chances against the real hard hitting bangers at middle, especially one like Zale who just loved to rip into his foes with those thunderous and rib crunching shots to the mid-section which will make Tommy wince in pain everytime he gets hit in his frail torso. Tony`s chin, punching power, dedicated body attack and indomitable will would likely see him KO Hearns more often than not methinks, sure Tommy can and probably would win once or twice if they fought a series of say four/five bouts and if the scheduled distance is ten rounds, but I don`t think he ought to be the favourite going in at all and especially so if the fights are 12/15 rounds, thats a long time to try and keep a tiger like Zale at bay for and dance around the ring.
Zale by KO ... Hearn's was hanging on for his life v.s. Juan Roldan for G-d's sake ... Zale blasts him out ... way too strong ...
I'd love to think Zale had a granite chin but the man was stopped 5 times, including a one round KO against Jimmy Clark (Who?) I also like Roldan being brought into this even though he had enough power to bother even Hagler.
If Hearns still had the leg speed he did at 147-154, then I'd favor him to use his reach and outbox Zale, the way Billy Soose did. However, at 160 and upward, he was less mobile and much more hittable (as his fights with Hagler, Roldan, and Barkley exposed). I think Zale would get in on him like he did to Al Hostak, and probably stop him within about 8 rounds.
Does he need a "granite chin" in order to beat Hearns? Barkley didn't have one either, and Hearns couldn't floor him with everything but the kitchen sink in two fights. Besides, he was durable enough at his peak to withstand Al Hostak's punch. Why couldn't he survive Hearns' as well? How much credit gave you give a guy just for "bothering" another fighter? It's not like he knocked him out, or even had him seriously wobbled or hurt at any time. Zale hit hard enough to KO Hostak and Graziano twice each, both of whom had never been stopped before (and would only be stopped one other time each), and also floored Fred Apostoli a bunch of times. What did Roldan ever do that measures up to that?
This would be a brutal destruction of Zale by somebody who completely outclassed him. Zale had a gorgeous left hook. The problem is, that he wouldn't have a chance to land it.
When you're affecting one of the greatest MW chins of all time I'd say it warrants some kudos. Also, Barkley was 6'1 plus and took punches all the way up to heavyweight. Absolutely no chance he had a inferior chin to Zale.