Who you got? Moore had a great year in '42, boxing a draw with the legendary Eddie Booker (who always gave him hell), beat Jack Chase, and stopped Shorty Hogue in 2. The Hogue win is especially relevant because Shorty Hogue was the "test" for Moore - and he had been failing it up until this point. Jack Chase was his first world-class scalp. Results would be mixed at that level going forwards, but he had landed. Meanwhile, Zale, reigning champion of the world at 160lbs, fought just once in that year, at LHW, a loss to Billy Conn. What if he'd made time for a wildcard title-defence against the emerging Archie Moore? How does it play out?
Old Archie, tough Tony gets outboxed/fought by a crafty cagey always willing Archie Moore, a steady breakdown. Not that Zale doesn't have moments, he's just never winning.