Tony Zale- what if ?

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goose 5
Super Featherweight
Posts: 6108
Joined: 12 Sep 2018, 20:20

Tony Zale- what if ?

Post by goose 5 »

If Zale didn't enter the military, how would his title reign have proceeded ?
Ambling Alp II
Super Middleweight
Posts: 15185
Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31

Re: Tony Zale- what if ?

Post by Ambling Alp II »

Obiously we can only speculate, but here goes:

He probably would not have held onto the title for as long as he did.
There were several really good contenders.
Ezzard Charles was still at middleweight. He moved up shortly after. Maybe he would not have if he could have got a title shot at Zale.

Archie Moore as well.
There was also Holman Williams and Charley Burley. He may have been able to avoid them since they were black. (Not saying he would have.)
Jake LaMotta was also in the picture as well. All of these guys were capable of beating Zale, who was a great fighter in his own right.
It's just doubtful he could have chopped up one of theses guys after another.
goose 5
Super Featherweight
Posts: 6108
Joined: 12 Sep 2018, 20:20

Re: Tony Zale- what if ?

Post by goose 5 »

From what I've been reading, Zale was going to fight a rematch with George Abrams in May 1942-I suspect Zale would have beaten him again. After that, I think Jose Basora or Coley Welch would have been given title shots. As for Moore, Williams and Burley-I can't see Zale fighting them as they had styles that were bad for him. Lamotta would be a war; a 50-50 bout, in my opinion.
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