Both so quick. Patterson seems more skilled, Roy tremendously athletic & remarkjable reflexes. Say they fought at their peaks-whatever weight would be best for the bout. Patterson had fear & lack of confidence vs. a bruiser like Liston, thanks at least in part due to D'amatos lack of confidence in Floyd there. Vut he beat many larger HWs & was the youngest HW champion until then. Jones was completely dominant in his prime, though the level of his competition was not as high. In the Jones vs. Golden era LHWs someone said he could trouble a peak Ali, & another seconded that notion. I cannot see that. He & Floyd at peak could likely pull a Doug Jones-like close fight-vs. a young '63 Ali. Since Patterson like Tyson peaked so young, At at the same AGE as Jones I can see Jones winning if a pre-'64 Ali. Not peak vs. peak. Ali said Patterson was the best boxer he faced. though he did not have the size...I have to like Patterson vs. Jones, though how close I do not know. given the speed of both & approximate same peak fighting size it could be a great fight. Who do ya got? Also against prime Ali...Cannot see either getting close.
Patterson had the skills, speed and a size advantage to negate some of Jones quickness and athleticism. I don't think this is necessarily an easy fight for Floyd but he's gotta be favored.
Jones had ONE heavyweight fight. He beat a relatively small (for a heavyweight), slow of foot, light punching marginally skilled counterpuncher in Ruiz. His heavyweight resume is paper thin. That said, I think he had the movement and speed to trouble Patterson. I don't believe he had the power at heavyweight to hurt the mediocre chinned Floyd, however. Patterson would try to work the body and rough Roy up on the inside whenever he stood still. Patterson was a medium sized heavyweight for his time and would be considered a small heavyweight in the era Roy fought Ruiz. He's not going to hurt Roy. I think Roy could eake out a close decision.
Patterson would KO Jones.. And Ali really we need to go there, Ali with a huge size and bulk advantage on RJ, not to mention a huge advantage in power, and Chin, would KO RJJ Inside of 3 rounds...
jones can beat a middling "minor" HW champ at a push, but hes going to come seriously unstuck against a HW hof or atg. we are talking about a MW, albeit a great one, going in against a HW legend.
