15 rds Zale isnt a big middle so size shouldn't play into it. Who you got and why. I got Zale by UD or possible late tko.
Two men of steel in one ring. I think Zale as the natural middleweight does have an advantage here. Both men were super tough but I think Zale would edge it. Great fight though.
Good Point: "Zale isn't a big middle so size shouldn't play into it." Zale height 5′ 7½″ / 171cm reach 69″ / 175cm Basilio: height 5′ 6½″ / 169cm
Well, Zale has a slight height advantage. Not sure about reach as Basilio's isn't listed on Boxrec but even if it were similar, size and srength difference could still come into play here. Zale was a career middleweight so was naturally bigger than Basilio, a natural welter for most of his career who moved up to middle because of the opportunity it presented. Zale would have a physical advantage here.
Agree. Tony Zale we see on film after the war was a tough guy still but before he served his country he was on higher grade. He had uncommon discipline and dedication and that is why he was still able to fight after and stay champion.
It also helped he was able to avoid fighting the black murderers row and Jake lamotta. As a result, his resume is paper thin. Zale in his prime by very close decision over Basillio
I dont believe Zale avoided fighting anyone. It doesnt match up with what we know about the mans character.
I do think the man had talent. I mean, he clearly beat a very good fighter in Georgie Abrams. But look at the rest of his resume..look at how many big names he missed out on. I mean, seriously. Did he fight anyone from the famous black murders row? One of the only black fighters he fought, Nate Bolden, whipped zale in his prime. Bolden wasn’t even good enough to be included in the murderers row and lost badly to Marshall, Bivins, and burley. Dare I ask, how does zale do in 1941-1942 vs burley, Marshall, Charles, Bivins, booker, Moore? And he comes back from the war and fights graziano instead of lamotta? Lamotta was far better than graziano. It’s shameful Lamotta was forced to take a dive in order to finally get a title shot. I don’t wanna question zales talent because the man was clearly an all time great body puncher with very good skills and heart. But his resume in that era? Paper thin
The WW2 years skewed a lot of good fighters careers. Too bad some of the potential match-ups were never made.
From what you are describing it sounds like Zale had smart manager. Graziano was a hot fighter at the time. Huge puncher and he drew $. Ducking those good black fighters was par for the course in those days. Those fellas were not famous at the time. Just for the sake of keeping perspective. I'm not aware of who Zale's manager actually was.
Zale's title was frozen in42,43,44. We have the following end of year rankings whilst he was champ. 1942. 1.Moore 2.Burley 3.Williams 4.Tunero 1943. 1.Lamotta 2.Williams 1944. 1.Williams 2.Lamotta 3.Burley 1945. 1.Williams 2.Burley 3.Lamotta 1946. 1.Lamotta 2.Burley 3 Graziano Guess which one of the last 3 Zale defended against?Clue he's underlined Murderers Row middles ranked during Zale's title reign. Burley.42=2 , 44=3 ,45=2, 46=2 Wiliams. 42=3,43=2,44=2, 45=1 Lytell. 46=8,47=2,48=1 Lamotta was 42=6,43=1,44=2,45=3,46=1,47=5,48=3
Sam Pian and Art Winch were his managers. I thought being ranked was more important than being famous, well you learn something new every day!
