Gene Fullmer vs. Tony Zale

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 24 Jul 2005, 08:35

Psychopathic wrecking machine robot Fullmer marches forward, back straight and hands up, into 'The Man of Steel' Tony Zale.

Two Mid-Western guys who were capable of unparalleled brutality.

And who were also capable of TAKING inhuman punishment.

How does this one go?

dnahar32 · Post by **dnahar32** » 24 Jul 2005, 08:45

I like Tony Zale by decision.

I think Fullmer would try and rough up Zale on the inside to smother Zale's hard punches, but I think Zale's power would hurt Fullmer enough to win a decision.

I think Zale is given a raw deal historically because of those bombs away fights with Graziano and all the early fights he lost, but he had just come into his prime when the war took away 3-4 years of his career.

tiredoldngrey · Post by **tiredoldngrey** » 24 Jul 2005, 09:46

For a guy who is said to be "just" a tough rugged fighter Fullmer did alright for himself; maybe there was more skill there than he is credited with? Zale went 29-4 with 25 KOs from 1940-1948, missing four years due to WWII, with 3 losses coming to future HoFers. Fullmer turned dance and move guy when he fought the shorter Basilio, and he and Zale were both 5'8", so maybe he'd try and get cute again? I don't believe that would fly against Zale, who was the superior boxer. Zale was also the better puncher; Fullmer had 19 of 24 KOs in 1951, 52, 54 (no fights in 1953) and had only three KOs against top level foes and all three (2 vs. Basilio and the other against Paret) came in fights with welterweights. Zale like Dick Tiger (also a strong 5'8" mw) would defeat Fullmer, probably by late TKO and probably every time they fought.