If Patterson had faced Cleveland Williams instead of Liston?

Patterson would win, a knockout isn't out of the question either.

 

Well, if Bob Satterfield could do it, so could Floyd. And knowing that Satterfield had done it takes away a lot of Williams' fear factor.

Floyd would be at similar physical disadvantages as he faced against Sonny but Cleveland wouldn't terrify him in the same maner, If he's not intimidated then Floyd has the speed and skills to do well here. I won't say he definitely wins it, though I think he does, but there'll be no first round blowouts in this one.

 

I fancy Williams to ko Floyd , I know Choklab and Co will be on my case, but that's my opinion.
Williams had fast hands and a good jab to go with his power,his chin wasn't that great and Floyd might put a left hook on it and end matters but I pick the Big Cat to win this.

 

Patterson is much better

 

Patterson would have beaten Williams. Williams is ridiculously overrated by some. Not sure why. Not even sure why amyone would rate him this great KO puncher. He has zero KOs against top competition unless you count a green, unrated Terrell as top competition. I dont. Whenever he stepped up he either lost, drew, or went the distance. Anyone counting on a KO for him to take Pattersons title is barking up the wrong tree.

 

Posters who overrate Williams:

Williams is muscular, Liston is muscular
Williams hits hard, Liston hits hard
Williams fought in the 50s and 60s, Liston fought in the 50s and 60s
Williams had bad defense, Liston had bad defense
Williams and Liston fought each other

Conclusion: Williams is Liston

 

Dangerous fight for Patterson, but I would favor him.

 

In order to give Liston more merit

 

I wouldn't call Liston's defense bad. I thought it was quite tidy, particularly for a massive puncher. I would put him in the boxer/puncher category.

 

He wasn't hard at all to hit and had his jaw and nose busted up throughout his career. That wouldn't have been a problem but it was in rather short fights or against lowly regarded opposition.

 

I can give Liston credit without overrating Williams. You watch those Liston fights and Williams is just a front runner. He starts out fast but as soon Liston starts figuring him out Williams falls apart. Im sure some will tell you thats because Liston was SOOO formidible. Nope, Liston wasnt even putting that much heat on him he just wasnt rolling over for Williams and Williams fell apart. I dunno. People act like those fights are all time great slugfests and I dont see it.

 

The Williams of Liston I, could beat Patterson. He was probably at the top of his game, plus as Liston admitted, Cleve could hit as hard as Sonny could. The key thing, Cleve would have to be a bad bass, and physically intimidate Floyd....muscle him around, and put some bad hurt on Patterson. IF, Cleve did that, then I see Williams TKO-ing Floyd in 5 rounds, or less.