Tua-Moorer

[TheShrimp]

These two heavyweights go saturday night.

Moorer 43-2-1 with losses to Foreman and Holyfield. 78" reach.

Tua 40-3 with losses to Lewis, Byrd, and Ibeabuchi. 69.5" reach.

Of course everyone Tua fights has a better reach.

For picking purposes, we'll say Moorer is about 2-1 (with the vig its about +170/-220 right now).

A lot of guys who have fought Tua have said, "I thought he hit harder than he does." He really hasn't been able to beat any good fighters. Admittedly, I don't know much about Fres Oquendo, but I don't think he ran his record to 20-0 by beating class. Even Rahman was beating Tua before Tua hit him after the bell. In the next round, Rahman was still stunned and got beat. Tua doesn't look good against guys who can actually fight and Moorer can actually fight.

Moorer had the lay-off between 1997 (when he lost to George) and 2000. He's boxed fine since his return but he hasn't really faced anyone either. He was a talent, though, beating Holyfield in a MD, Shultz and Botha. He has boxed since he was a boy and I think well-trained fighters such as himself give Tua problems.

If Tua is fighting someone he can't get the left hook in on, he can easily be outpointed. However, Moorer did get KO'd by Foreman (still a strong puncher at 44 or whatever) and Holyfield (not considered a real heavy puncher and he knocked MM down several times), so one questions his chin.

The line seems high. I don't know if it is because Tua is more recognizable or if I'm overlooking something. I like that price on Moorer, though. This week, I think I'll wait till saturday to make a wager. Last couple of fights, I've had reservations at the last minute about who I bet on.

Early lean on Moorer at +170, though. By decision. Not carved in stone. I want to look a little more into some of his recent opponents, and how Tua has done against southpaws.

TheShrimp

 

[SMOKE JENSEN]

My take:

Tua will destroy Moorer. Moorer dose not have the mobility to keep out of harms reach all night. While i fully agree that Tua has his limitations. Moorer is not the one to exploit them. When Tua catches him. And he will. Moorer goes down hard.

 

[gardenweasel]

my initial thoughts

my initial thoughts

my first impressions are more along the lines of smoke....the fact that moorer is a lefty and that tua`s money punch is a left hook may make it harder for tua to land the bomb.....also,lesser fighters have extended tua deep into fights....moorer will have to punish tua and discourage tua from walking through him....but,let`s not forget that moorer is not really a mobile guy.....he is also 35 years old and was out of the game for several years....and in my opinion,moorer(who made his bones in the light heavyweight division) is not a really powerful heavyweight puncher....he does his damage over a period of rounds...tua has an iron chin.....i think moorer`s lack of mobility and a chin that can be had(he has been hurt and down in several fights,but to his credit fought back) spell a tough night....is this a 10 or twelve rounder?...this could be very important....the more rounds tua has to find you,the better his chances...more later

 

[gardenweasel]

10 rounds

10 rounds

the shorter the fight,the better for moorer.....he also has emanuel steward working his corner now.....one thing i dont understand...tua is something like -250.....tua`s probably not winniing by decision...so,if you like tua,why not take tua by k.o. at +150?....somebody must be sleeping at olympic.....

 

[gardenweasel]

one last thing

one last thing

moorer had a tendency to get lazy in his fights....every boxing fan remembers teddy atlas begging,pleading,threatening moorer to punch in several fights....he supposedly has gotten his life together....he`d better have....tua is a major step up in class from lorenzo boyd,terrence lewis,dale crowe,terry porter and robert davis.....he`d better be energetic and box and move...he ain`t gonna win a punch out...ike ibeabuchi couldn`t knock down tua...i don`t think moorer can stop tua.

 

[gardenweasel]

second last thing

second last thing

olympic has tua-250 and moorer+210....they also have tua+150 by k.o.........i think if this goes to the cards,moorer will likely get the decision...for tua to get a decision,he will have to hurt moorer and i believe if he hurts moorer,he will finish him...tua has never been stopped(or knocked down,to my knowledge).....why not wager on moorer by decision and get +210 and throw a wager down on tua by k.o. and get +150?.....i think your chances of collecting something are very good and you are protecting your investment as much as possible ......tua`s not getting stopped,so,the only way you lose is for tua to decision moorer....something to think about....g.l.

 

[TheShrimp]

Good points.

Keep in mind that Byrd (who beat Tua by decision) is a southpaw. The left hook (Tua's bread and butter) is more effective coming over the top of the cross than coming in over the jab.

I just think Tua is overrated. He's flashy and there are some great highlights of his left hook, but I don't think he fares well against good fighters.

Who has he beat? Nicholson (chump), Maskaev (technically OK, but not much), Rahman (because of a late hit when Rahman didn't have much going for him). Rahman was beating him on the cards.

How did I overlook that Moorer has been working with Manny Steward? That's great for him.

I'll look into that Moorer by decision. That might be a better bet than just picking him. Tua does have a strong chin. Interesting take, GW -- MM by decision and Tua by KO. Might look into that as a partial hedge. Over the last 5 years or so, Tua's had 3 fights that went to the cards, he lost 2 by UD and won one by MD.

TheShrimp