Tony Zale v Thomas Hearns

I'm sure many will disagree, but I think this is a stylistic nightmare for Tommy.
Zale has one of the best body attacks in middleweight history. He was noted for chopping some very good middleweights down like trees and that is the plan that I have seen have the most success against Tommy. Tommy's reach advantage is difficult to employ when Tony has his head in Tommy's chest and his hooks in Tommy's ribs. Overall I rate Tommy as the better boxer and more versatile BUT his one weak area is Tony's super strong suit and I think that is enough.

Zale by UD or late TKO.

I would like to hear what Bert thinks of this matchup :yep

 

I don't disagree at all, I never thought Hearns at middleweight was anything special.

 

Agreed. Hearns may well hurt and drop Zale at some early point, but Tony was no stranger to getting up and taking out the culprit who decked him.

Steward claimed that Tommy was spent so quickly against Hagler because he fought 12 rounds worth of action in the opening three minutes, but how much of that rapid and sudden enervation was due to Marv hammering his body from the get go? That last right hand to Graziano's body which immediately preceded the hook with which Zale anticlimactically concluded his rivalry with Rocky might well have run completely through Tommy's torso, leaving a gaping cannonball hole. I look at how Hearns noticeably buckled when SRL hammered him to the gut in their WW unification showdown, and just don't see how Hearns takes those shots from without losing his legs completely. (And take away Tommy's legs, how is he then able to generate enough power to keep Tony off him?)

 

Both an exciting and interesting fight. Bombs will fly and tactics will be revised.

The gut reaction is that Zale should make good of the allotted time, absorbing the punishment to exact his leg-numbing rebuttal. There is the slight chance of a well-oiled 'Hitman' setting the tempo and putting it all together to leave Zale insensible within the first half, but this is a far shout for a man who thrived in a dispute.

Hearn's long punches will streak in, dangerously so, but Zale is going to be stepping in and sinking in his hooks. Physical strength, durability and that general ability to be the calm in the storm will give the 'Man of Steel' this one after a 6 round thriller with typically hairy moments.

 

I'm not exactly sure how big Tony is, I think that plays a BIG role here. Zale's hooks and rights to the liver, and heart were pretty damn powerful and well placed(there's a reason The Ring award the Tony Zale Trophy to "mr body puncher"). I expect Tony to absorb a ton of punishment to land those though. I also expect him to weather it reasonably well. Over 12 it's pickem. Over 15, all Zale IMO.

 

Hearns would spear his jab well and even nail Zale with rights, but, I see Zale eating them well and imposing his will for a 7th rd TKO over Hearns baby..... Hearns wilts at 160 if his power doesn't park his man inside 5 rds....

ZALE!

MR.BILL

 

With respect, sir my sources have Tony Zale listed at a very "compact" 5'8".
He is a solid middle having to train hard to make the 160 limit I have read, but that training didn't seem to drain him but rather stood to ensure he had stamina for long fights...

 

Zale 5' 8" tall????? Hmmmm.... I'd say more like 5' 11" tall with ease....... Zale was a huge 160............... Christ, Graziano stated he always thought Zale was a drained light-heavy..... Zale was big at 160......

MR.BILL

 

In their final match prior to their WW II hiatuses, Zale gave away over 11 pounds to Conn, yet remained upright through 12 complete rounds. At this time, Billy was knocking out Pastor, Barlund and Buddy Knox, had staggered Louis in their first match, and seemed to be gaining considerable power with physical maturity. (He dropped the durable Pastor thrice, knocking out Bob with a hook to the body.) Giving away that kind of size to Conn at that time, yet remaining upright to the final bell is a respectable enough achievement, and shows Tony could hang with an opponent of Tommy's skills and stature. But would Hearns have had the durability to last with the Man of Steel?

 

Hearn's barely survived Juan Roldan. While it would be an extremely dangerous opening round or two for Tony I bet he survives and flattens Hearns in under five.

 

Thats quite an irrelevant fact. The Pastor KO is heavily disputed as being down to low blows.

Also some fighters find it easy to hurt bigger guys but with smaller guys they dont know what to do.

 

I thought it strange also as I've read a couple of people say Tony Zale was really a small LH who could squeeze down to 160.

5'8" is what the Tale of the Tape book says though

I should look at other sources - Boxrec has him at 5'7+1/2 !?