Tony Zale vs the Fab 4

Hagler beats Zale,,Hearns might outbox him for a decision . I think he beats Duran.Leonard would be problematical.

 

Pretty could analysis I'd say, I don't know if Leonard would survive 15 rounds with him at middleweight either. Nobody is going to easily destroy Zale, any win over him you'll pay for, he could surprise.

 

Zale was a great fighter, certainly imo. I don't think Graziano would have beat the pre-war version.

 

Hey John

Zale in his prime was outboxed by Nate Bolden. I can’t see hearns losing any rounds vs zale. Zale has a punchers chance at best. How does zale possibly compete with hagler? Hagler just has too many tools, and the much better record. he dominated a very competitive middleweight era mowing down quality top contenders while Zale never defeated any of the great middleweights of the 40s like Burley Marshall Charles Williams or Lamotta.

Just wondering what you saw on film that zale displays and also what in zales Record would lead you to believe he would be ultra competitive vs consistent, ATG middleweights like hagler and hearns whom both sported freakish tools and great records?

 

I don't think Zale was at his best in 39. Some of his best wins we don't have film of.

My man Tommy was somewhat vulnerable at 160. It would imo end up in who ko'd the other. Duran and Leonard are much smaller men against a bonafide middleweight who can fight. Over 15 i would favor him. Zale had superb stamina and would impose his weight advantage imo. Just when Hagler had Duran struggling and sucking in the big ones he inexplicably decelerated and let him off the hook imo. Hagler tired and lost sting on his punches vs an also tired Leonard. I think Zale would be a lot fresher than that version of Hagler.

I think his willpower, stamina, power and heart would have him give a good account of himself vs Hagler.

 

I think if we match guys of different eras we would get some big surprises. The older fighters always get more credit than the younger. The older the era the more chance they have to win, just because of respect and other issues.

 

The fifteen rounds might be very significant .
Zale wasn't the same fighter when he came back after the War,that's why Graziano was competitive with him. imo Cerdan would not have beaten a prime Zale.

 

Agree totally Mac. I reckon the fab 4 (well three of them Hagler is well matched over whatever rounds) would be hard for him over 10, a LOT harder than 15.

 

Tony out toughs th welterweight s and destroys them with his withering body assault. KO KO KO. Hagler he decisions in a war.

 

Yes, and there was no "no mas" in Zale.

 

I don't know if he would win, but, I think Zale would give all four all they could handle at 160. (Except maybe prime Hagler). As long as Hearns doesn't get careless, he should win a hard fought decision. Leonard probably outsmarts and outspeeds Tony for a decision win. Duran-Zale would be a magnificent fight. Prime Hagler probably too much for Zale and stops him mid rounds.

 

I’m starting to believe Marvin might be underrated head to head on this forum. This is the second thread lately where I’ve read through and seen numerous people posting an opinion of Emile Griffith and Tony Zale being able to give Marvin the fight of his life and possibly beat him.

I just don’t see it...at all. Not only was Marvin’s resume and consistency light years ahead of those two...he was also the much better talent in all areas of fighting and a very big middleweight

Griffith had more than a couple losses in his prime to men Hagler would have wiped the floor with

Zale never took on any of the murderers row or Lamotta so we don’t actually know just how zales abilities play out vs other great middleweight

It seems like the Duran fight is always brought up and used against hagler negatively in fantasy head to head matchups. Just seems like nitpicking to me when you look at the gigantic holes in zales resume and bad losses on griffiths resume

 

I agree Hagler is getting sold short here but,though he was very muscular, he wasn't"a very big middleweight."
Duran was all smoke and mirrors against Marvin ,a bluff, he did well but the scorecards flattered him imo.