If Floyd Patterson And Liston Had Never Boxed??

Fergy, I think that perhaps after Floyd Patterson dispatched Ingemar Johansson on June 20 1960, he meets Cleveland Big Cat Williams in Madison Square Garden in the Spring of 1961, skipping Tom McNeeley. Then onto McNeeley, then a 1963 bout against either Ernie Terrell or Eddie Machen. Then in Feb 1964 he faces no.1 contender Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). By the way, Floyd Patterson still beats Archie Moore for the vacant title on Nov 30 1956, as much as I admired both.

 

When Marciano retires, you would probably be looking at Archie Moor vs Tommy Hurricane Jackson for the vacant title, with Eddie Machen as the first rock in the road for the winner.

Extrapolate from there!

 

I guess that Terrell would be the best of what was left in that scenario.

 

In 1956 Moore defeats Jackson in a split decision win and becomes the first sitting World Light Heavyweight Lineal Champion to capture the World Heavyweight Lineal Title. In 1959 Ingemar Johansson survives a second round knockdown, to knock Archie Moore out in the 8th round, to become Lineal Champion. He avoids Terrell and holds on until 1963, including a Moore rematch, and 2 defenses in Sweden, against Swedish opponents, but loses the title to upstart, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) in 1963. The rest is very close to the history we know, without Liston and Patterson in it.

 

My only guess is that the title would have changed hands more often than it actually did. Probably about the most significant possibility is that Archie Moore may have captured the heavyweight crown briefly. I can only imagine what that would have done to his already incredible all time rating

 

Archie Moore takes Floyd's place probably.

The myth of Williams takes on an even more extreme version.

Zora or Machen takes Liston's place as the "boogeyman" maybe.

Ingo looks a lot better in history and he may even defend against a green Clay and lose of course.

(He'd defend if they never sparred)

Rusty on the history of the heavies, so sorry If I am crossing wires or anything.

Let's say Marciano hangs on with no Liston or Patterson he in all likelihood crushes Ingo or anyone else knocking on the door and retires in 1960.

 

Maybe. Not sure how modern fans would pit him against other heavies but his all time rating from a legacy standpoint would likely get a few more points. Who would he fight for the vacant crown? Willie Pastrano perhaps ?

 

Maybe some lucky journeyman who could have been a champion with enough resources now gets a chance as an alternative investment.

 

The title definitely goes to Europe some time between Marciano and Ali. Archie Moore would likely briefly have the title before losing it in Europe.

He defended his light heavyweight title in London and would have taken offers there against cavicchi or ingo, or Cooper or Brian London.

Terrell would beat Moore and so too would have Ingo. I guess Ingo has the best win over Machen than anyone was likely to score so he would have got his shot before Terrell.

Then maybe ingo, destined for a short reign, loses to Terrell after a defence or two in Europe. I can see that.

 

This could be a real musical chair 8 years, but I think all possible scenarios would involve Moore, Folley, Machen, Johansson, Williams and Terrell with coronations and/or losses mixed between them.