15 rounds: Floyd Patterson vs. Ken Norton

By Ali's admission, Patterson punched harder than him. Anyway, I see Norton winning by close decision. Very interesting matchup.

 

Patterson was certainly a harder puncher than Ali in my view.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd43cwl6VW8[/ame]

 

Norton via mid to late round TKO would be my pick. While Norton had a suspect chin vs huge punchers, he held up just fine in three fights with Ali, and one with Quarry. And of course Norton went the distance in a close fight with a prime Larry Holmes.

Patterson did not hit as hard as Foreman or Shavers for sure.

 

This could easily end up being the Patterson/Jackson II beatdown all over again. Jackson and Norton are very comparable in terms of size, physical power, and swarming volume punching approach. Though more prone to knockdowns Jackson was probably more durable than Norton as well, capable of taking some sick punishment.

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Not sure the crab would bother Patterson much either as Moore used a simliar technique and the great "Gazelle Punch" still found a home.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCUkqyfUjTU[/ame]

 

And you narrow-mindedly stop thinking further there. Moore was a bulked up lightheavy. So was Patterson. Neither Patterson nore Moore had any business in the heavyweight-division.

 

Wow you're thick

 

Patterson was the first ever two time heavyweight champion. Not bad for a guy who had no business in the heavyweight division.

 

Floyd could do a hard and resourceful 15 rounds, as he showed when he was robbed against Ellis. Chuvalo and Bonavena were rugged opponents, and he prevailed over both. He'd be under Ken's overhand right, and his hook was faster and quicker. Moving laterally, ducking in and out of corners (like he did with Chuvalo), he could certainly pull off a decision win. Late stoppage? Possible, but not likely.

Norton's best weapon in this situation would be his right uppercut. Like many others, he could drop Patterson, but his power isn't the same as Ingo's or Liston's. He's not stopping someone with Floyd's recuperative powers and nobody wore down a healthy Patterson.

 

Floyd wins with speed

 

I cannot picture the smallish Patterson hanging in there with the much bigger, skilled, powerpunching Norton. I like Norton by knockout anytime. It is possible that Patterson's superior speed enables him to last into the middle or later rounds though.

 

Maybe Patterson who was fast and could bang, Norton was quality fighter though.