Could Floyd Patterson replicate Joe Louis title reign?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Dec 1, 2024.


  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    From James J Braddock to the 2nd Jersey Joe Walcott fight, could Floyd Patterson remain undefeated against everyone Joe Louis fought. Let's assume he ages well like he did in the real timeline and he keeps focus.
     
  2. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    I think Schmeling beats him but he probably beats the rest, wouldn’t be surprised if Galento’s fat ass fouled him to death tho
     
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  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    But by the time Louis faced Max as a title fight he was no where near as good as he'd been.
    I think Floyd could KO that max.
     
  4. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    I don’t see much evidence on a significant decline in Schmeling by that period, not the Schmeling of 1929-32 sure but I think he was pretty much the same fighter that beat Louis. I think he would still be able to beat Floyd by that stage
     
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  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I don’t think so. That was an incredibly long title rain with a lot of diverse opponents of varying styles and abilities. I’m confident Floyd could have beaten a lot of them but he wasn’t Joe Louis.
     
  6. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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    only in a movie scenario he stays focused for 30 fights with different rivals... normally someone will come along who will surprise him... Maybe Godoy, maybe Schmelling, maybe Conn will turn out to be too fast... He is probably better than all of them but no one could be focused all the time , at every fight... Someone would do the same as Ingo.
     
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  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Hell no, but there is an irony here

    We have seen endless threads asking could N fighter have replicated Louis's record?

    You say, "hang on he only managed any sort of form over a period of three years."

    Floyd Patterson is one of the very few heavyweights in history, who could have matched Louis in terms of longevity/form.

    His only problem here, is that his A game wouldn't be enough for some of the opposition, and his off nigh wouldn't be enough for a lot of them.
     
  8. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    No. Simply not durable enough. If you freeze frame every fight he could stand a chance although I wouldn’t bet on it, but in the real world he’d never make 25 title defenses. He’d be lucky to break 9-10 defenses without a loss.
     
  9. Frankus

    Frankus Active Member Full Member

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    Perfect summation.
     
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  10. Ney

    Ney Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I both like & respect Patterson a lot, but a good chunk of that stems from his imperfections. He was prone to losing focus & struggled with self-belief & fear. That he overcame them to the extent he did I am very moved by, but it is these same flaws which would undoubtedly keep him from equaling Louis’ record IMO.
     
  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Didn't Schmeling just put Hamas in the hospital right before the Louis fight? Steve Hamas was a top contender in his prime.
     
  12. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Who do you think he drops the ball against?
     
  13. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    I think Schmeling, Conn and Walcott are the ones most likely to beat Patterson.
     
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  14. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    No.

    I don't think people appreciate how good Louis's competition was during his first reign. Patterson could have beaten many of those guys especially the smaller ones but he would have taken Ls and he would have taken quite a few of them.
     
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  15. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Probably true. Buddy Baer despite his limited skill and movement would have been a dangerous opponent for Patterson due to his shear size and power