Tony Zale: The Man of Steel

[elmersalsa]

What do you guys think of Tony Zale?

[HomicideHenry]

Sadly will be remembered for his series with Graziano and his loss to Marcel Cerdan. Prime years were taken away from him (was in the Army) and probably could have accomplished much more. Was a good fighter, but I personally don't rank him as high as say RING magazine has him as in their TOP 20 MW's OF ALL TIME. They had him ranked at #12. I would rank him in the lower part of the top 20.

[Ezzard]

When I was younger Zale and Cerdan regularly made all-time MW top 10 lists. These guys don't always make it now.

Since then only really Hopkins has had a shout at forcing his way onto that list. So why is Zale often absent from top 10s?

[dempseyfire]

Cerdan to me is a clear top 10 all-time middleweight. Zale would probably be top 15.

[harrygreb]

one of the toughest men to step between the ropes. not overly talented but pretty damn good at that. i'd have him about 15 of all time, too.

[elmersalsa]

To me, he's an all-time top 20 middleweight and also makes the list of 100 greatest fighters pound per pound...Great fighter

[slakka]

But Bolden and Soose beat him so decisively when they moved on him.