Guys, I'm one of Rademacher's biggest fans, for instance, but Floyd leveled him when everyone said it was impossible that a former light heavyweight who would be a super middleweight today, could beat a HEAVYWEIGHT Ozempic gold mentalist. I think he beats Verhoeven.
Floyd sparks him. Rico is a lovely guy and a hard, hard man, but the instant revisionism on this forum is funny. A fit, motivated Usyk beats him clearly. He lost to the worst version of Usyk. If you are asking could Rico beat a 40 year old unmotivated Patterson then yes, he probably could. But a peak, motivated Patterson? Floyd chops him down and knocks him out about midway through a fight that sees Rico chasing shadows, reaching and getting caught all night long
Rico is not a power puncher and Floyd is a better inside fighter than Usyk. I'd favor numerous modern cruierweights like Opetaia or maybe even Benavidez to beat Rico via way more experience and superior skill so why not Patterson ?
And yet Patterson beat bigger men than himself in his career. I concede it would be churlish to suggest that Liston's size advantage had no bearing on proceedings but Liston whupped Floyd because of his attributes. Incredibly heavy handed, technically proficient, superb gauge of space, thudding jab, he was a boxing machine. Now, don't get me wrong, using logic I took Usyk to beat Rico if not easily; I knew a little about Rico's toughness and his own attributes after researching him, but certainly easier than transpired so, who knows, perhaps Rico can maul and mess Floyd around in the same manner but for me the fittest, best version of Patterson avoids Rico's quick but uncultured hands, bobs abd weaves into and out of offensive positions and chops the big man down. Good chat man, thanks for your contributions, peace and love always, Px
