Archie Moore interview: Spinks versus Charles

[mickey malone]

Marciano referred as I understood to his pre-championship days and the slow down, gap between fights as a champion.

Yeh, that makes sense actually. Marciano's pre-championship years,left a lot to be desired, which is probably why he trained so hard as champion.

[NChristo]

You got me interested with that comment, went and had a look.

Burley was ranked #3 by the Ring for end of May 1944. Moore wasn't in rankings (top 10).

Moore didn't enter rankings until for end of January 1945, #8 at Light Heavyweight.

Burley was the state champion (California) and such one-sided contest that write-up had Burley at his peak, Moore slipping.

Moore ended up in hospital for 3 days after their fight, believe that's what he might of been referring too ?, but I wouldn't say Moore was afraid of him, Moore took a hellish beating from Eddie Booker 3 months prior too the Burley fight and was stopped but he lasted the distance against Burley despite it being so one sided, if he was afraid surely he wouldn't of gotten in the ring or just given up ?. Moore fought absolutely everyone (But Walcott for whatever reason), it's just silly too say he's scared of anyone.

[joeandthebums]

Yeh, that makes sense actually. Marciano's pre-championship years,left a lot to be desired, which is probably why he trained so hard as champion.

Marciano trained hard full-stop, before being champ and while champ.

Moore ended up in hospital for 3 days after their fight, believe that's what he might of been referring too ?, but I wouldn't say Moore was afraid of him, Moore took a hellish beating from Eddie Booker 3 months prior too the Burley fight and was stopped but he lasted the distance against Burley despite it being so one sided, if he was afraid surely he wouldn't of gotten in the ring or just given up ?. Moore fought absolutely everyone (But Walcott for whatever reason), it's just silly too say he's scared of anyone.

Yeah believe he did go hospital. Moore wasn't the finished article yet at time of their fight. Wasn't agreeing with scared part, scared doesn't come into stuff like this.

[NChristo]

Yeah believe he did go hospital. Moore wasn't the finished article yet at time of their fight. Wasn't agreeing with scared part, scared doesn't come into stuff like this.

I know I know, I was agreeing with you that Moore didn't have fear of Burley. Although I'd say that Moore was slightly pre prime in the Burley fight and got into his stride afterwards ?, up for debate I guess but I'd say Moore was at his best between 48 - 54.

[joeandthebums]

IAlthough I'd say that Moore was slightly pre prime in the Burley fight and got into his stride afterwards ?, up for debate I guess but I'd say Moore was at his best between 48 - 55.

Can live with 48, as he'd become a legitimate light heavy by that point. Could take 46 or 47 too, just where do you say his skill-set stopped improving to such a extent that he was pretty much there.

Looking at this period and those bunch of guys waiting on title shot, got to give Maxim a nod for making his first defense against Moore.

[NChristo]

As for Charles vs Spinks, **** I dunno, can't really think of a harder match up too predict, for me they are the power houses at Light Heavy, wouldn't pick anyone over either of them.

[joeandthebums]

I like Charles at light-heavy and heavy. Wouldn't go to town arguing over that opinion though, but for me it's Charles.

[mickey malone]

Can live with 48, as he'd become a legitimate light heavy by that point. Could take 46 or 47 too, just where do you say his skill-set stopped improving to such a extent that he was pretty much there.

Looking at this period and those bunch of guys waiting on title shot, got to give Maxim a nod for making his first defense against Moore.

Maxim's purse was $100,000.. Moore got $800

[joeandthebums]

Maxim's purse was $100,000.. Moore got $800

Good business for both then. Maxim risk, Moore reward.

[Ben Bolt]

I wouldn't say Moore was afraid of him ... if he was afraid surely he wouldn't of gotten in the ring.

I can very well imagine Archie was afraid [of Burley]. The minds of these great fighters we don’t understand. How they get triggered by challenging their fears.

Larry Holmes said that, most often, when he walked up to the ring, he felt fear and anxiety. And when he quit boxing, he missed these feelings. They made him, in a sense, happy.

If I was approaching a ring, to face a Shavers or a Tyson, I would definitely not feel very happy