Floyd Patterson’s incredible run of world class form

I agree.
Any date after Dec. 30, 1970, Patterson could have beaten Liston.

If he had waited until around 1990 he could have avenged his two defeats by Ali.

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl

 

Also Powell may have been better than skhor, but he was not better than the 6'2 213lb Joe Louis, that Marciano knocked out. Not even close.

 

Calm down Rocky
While by no means were the Floyd-Sonny scraps an ananamoly, a 66 and beyond Sonny simply was damaged goods at that point. Outside of Henry Clark, he beat No one of any significance and got nailed by Leotis. It could also be argued that Floyd was a better fighter after the Sonny bouts.
But even if Patterson had bested Liston in 67-68 it wouldn't have given any closure to anyone but Floyd himself. IMO Patterson would have beaten Liston 67-68-69. Floyd still had his game intact, something Sonny didn't have.

 

This would have also been your response to similar speculation about Floyd reversing his defeat to Ingo if they had never rematched.

You truly believe Sonny would have crushed the younger, more experienced and better conditioned Patterson in the same manner in 1969 that Liston did six and seven years earlier?

 

Patterson had TWO chances against Liston. At 26-27 years old. His prime years. He got knocked out in the first round both times. Time to let it go. Sonny had floyd's number.

 

Boxing's ratings are a bit strange though. The fact that he's ranked #7 at the end of 1963 shows that you really don't have to do much in boxing in be 'among the best in the world'. Established fighters get gifted these places.


No doubt in my mind that Patterson was very good pound-for-pound though.

 

Patterson's avoidance of top challengers while he was champion, ruins his legacy for me.
On the plus side, he was a true gentleman.

 

I definitely agree with this. Not to denigrate Floyd,but I think he was absolutely and literally petrified of Liston. And he wasn't on his own,nobody wanted him. You could have got 20 to one on Ali in the first fight,people forget that.
As said,Floyd did brilliantly for years after those losses. For such a small man a great heavyweight record. He beat Eddie Machen,a man Cus Damato kept him away from when he was champion,and one of the only others who would get in the ring with Liston at hs peak. If he could have overcome his fear of Sonny he might just have had a chance on the night Leotis Martin beat him. But Id have given a peak Martin 3 rounds at the most with Liston at his best.

 

When he was first champ..he hardly fought and avoided Liston for several years...Liston was uncrowned champ for about 3 years. Floyd reigned in a terribly moderate era.
Yes he had longevity extremely nice guy and a slick boxer.
Always looked very small for a HW to me on films ?

 

I've never seen eye to eye on those who thought Patterson was robbed against Ellis, I had the bout a disappointing draw in that Ellis looked a little sloppy and Floyd simply never accelerated in a fight that was his for the taking.

 

Well said posting. Even going into the second Ali bout (after it was postponed) Liston had lost his game according to those in his camp, knocked around by sparring partners he had once battered, stumbling jumping rope, and with no rhythm of punching on any of the bags he had simply gotten old boxing wise.

 

and here is WHY I pay little heed to Achievement based placement... it IS Fine for a starting point and comparative discussion, but when even knowledgeable people get caught up in Champions or Contention Stats and forget the reality, like here.

NO WAY is Paterson better than JJW or Charles, sorry!