in his run for a shot at the HW title? He faced the following men: Johnny Allen Joe Baksi Steve Dudas Lee Q. Murray Curtis Sheppard Johnny Allen Jimmy Bivins Al Blake Lee Oma Tommy Gomez Joey Maxim x2 Elmer Ray Joe Louis x2 Name me as many fighters as you can that are 200 pounds or below that does better? Walcott picked up 2 losses (Ray and Maxim) that he avenged on the way to Louis. For Louis, consider the person would need to do very well against Louis for one fight, and likely should be awarded the win. Bonus: Of the fighters who would do as well or better... Do you also see that fighter... going on to Split with Ezzard Charles, beat Rex Layne and Harold Johnson to earn another title shot. Fight Marciano and do better by actually winning?
Charles went 2-2 vs. Jersey Joe Walcott but a lot of experts say he should be 3-1. Charles beat Joe Louis by decision. Charles lost a questionable decision to Harold Johnson in his 94th pro fight. He lost a close decision to Rocky Marciano in his 98th pro fight and lost by 8th round KO to Marciano in their rematch but had Marciano's nose split prior to the stoppage. Charles also went 5-0 vs. Joey Maxim. Charles went 1-1 (1) vs. Elmer Ray but a case can be made for him being 2-0 (1) vs. Ray. Charles went 4-1(1) vs. Jimmy Bivins (winning all 4 of their rematches). He went 3-0 (1) vs. Archie Moore. He also went 2-1 (2) vs. Rex Layne, lost a questionable decision to NiƱo Valdes in his 95th pro fight, and beat many other good/great fighters.
Marciano went 49-0 (43) overall, 7-0 (6) in HW World Title fights, and 6-0 (5) vs. Hall of Famers Louis KO8, Walcott KO13 and KO1, Charles W15 and KO8, and Moore KO9. He went 5-0 (4) vs. Lineal HW Champs... in comparison Louis went 7-3 (6), Holyfield went 8-4-1 (3), Lewis went 3-1-1 (2), Ali went 8-3 (7), and Tyson went 2-3 (2).
Just don't see this TBH. I think he would never put up the fight Walcott did against Louis, where he likely should've won. He might have his moments, but I envision him getting KO'd by the 10th.
Even is Walcott had never held the title, he would still stand out as one of the greatest heavyweight contenders of all time.
Regardless of who was better, Patterson does not fare well against this field. This is a field populated by punchers.