Given Monzon's style, I can see quite a bit of clinching. However, that's forgivable. Compare ALI-Frazier to almost ANY heavyweight fight before or since. ALI did a lot of jabbing and grabbing. However, Frazier kept him busy enough where he couldn't get away with much and he had no choice but to fight.
This might sound crazy but Monzon reminds me of the older ALI, a fighter with pin-point accuracy but who lacked the perfect foot work of his pre-exile years. ALI could stand in front of his opponent and pick his shots. Frazier was the one who disrupted those tactics.
Monzon would stick and move just enough while Zale would bore in and open Monzon's defense, which was a high-held guard while taking a few steps backwards. The backward steps were only to make room for punches. However, Zale doesn't have the bob-n-weave style of Frazier. He would keep coming forward but would take a lot of punishment.
The physical equipment is the big question here. Zale has been measured anywhere from 5'7.5" to 5'10". Either way, Monzon, at just over 6 ft. would have a clear height advantage. However, Monzon has nine draws on his record and a number of questionable decisions from fights in Argentina, where you'd have to knock him out twice to get a draw.
Still, all things considered, I can see Monzon sticking Zale with the jab-right combination almost at will. Zale was a debilitating body puncher but Monzon would make enough room to minimize Zale's attack. He was strong enough to tough it out in that regard.
The wild card is Monzon's conditioning. He had a bad habit of not training for some fights. I'll assume he would be in shape for Zale. That said, I don't see where Zale can do much to beat Monzon. I also don't see Monzon stopping Zale. Looking at the way Marcel Cerdan handled Zale, I see Monzon doing it easier, although Zale was a bit past his prime by the time Cerdan fought him. Monzon takes this clearly on points, at least 10-5 in rounds.
Monzon W15
Monzon wold have an advantage because of his height.
He did not always train well for fights, and if he was not in top shape Zale would pound him into submission before the end of round 15.
This would be one of your dream fights, with a slight edge to Monzon.
Hello sir and great match up once again. I enjoyed reading Galactus's answer and cannot improve on that. My opinion is that Monzon would use his stiff jab and survive ssometough moments from Zale enroute to gaining a hard earned decision win.
Zale
monzon would keep zale busy and land the more shots. monzon by ud.
Monsoon
tonly zaleeeeeeeee
