I'm thinking Bowe shoud rate a few spaces higher than patterson myself. Bowe was never stopped and lost only once to an all time great fighter whom he beat twice. Patterson lost 8 times and was stopped on some 5 occasions. Floyd has the claim to being the youngest champ and the first to regain the title, but do these stats really make him a better fighter, or were they acquired merely via the right circumstance? Bowe's best win was against a prime Holyfield, Floyd's best was either an aging Moore or Ingo Johhansen.. Take your pick. Bowe notoriously ducked the greatest challenger of his era in a most disgraceful fashion, but Floyd ducking challengers throughout his entire title reign was no secret either.
This is contradictory of me to say but I would rate Patterson higher from a historical standpoint even though I think Bowe would have handily defeated Patterson had they been able to fight. When people talk now about making a superheavyweight division I think this what they had in mind. Bowe would be way too big and powerful for Patterson to handle. But in terms of career accomplishment I think Patterson comes out on top here.
Bowe, his wins over Holyfield are such a long way better than wins over Johansen/Machen/Moore Patterson was by far the better P4P fighter though
Cus refused to allow Floyd to fight anyone who had ties to the IBC because of their corruption (pipe + newspaper + Ray Arcel's head = Arcel stopped setting up televised fights that cut into their profits) It hurt Floyd's level of challengers but helped to break their stranglehold on boxing. Cus made his decision well known to the public during this time. This goes much deeper than Floyd just throwing his belt in the trash because he "didn't want to fight" the best of his day. Floyd's decision to not fight IBC fighters was a tough but ethical choice that has been exonerated by history. Bowe's refusal to fight Lewis was a poor choice that ruined his reputation and hurts his legacy as a great champion. Personal opinion of course.
Head to head Bowe blows Patterson out in 1 round, but in terms of what they did overall as fighters Patterson did more as both a contender, champion, and in his post-championship career.
A real argument can be made that Floyd deserved to regain a share of the title a second time against Ellis. Where longevity is concerned, there's no contest at all. Patterson was beating seasoned professionals right from his first year of professional competition in 1952, beat Durelle in 1954 and 1955, and decisioned Bonavena in 1972. Floyd might have been a top ten contender into his 40s. By his late 20s, Bowe was shot. Bowe's legacy is largely confined to winning his trilogy with Holyfield, and re-splintering the heavyweight title in the process.
In terms of persona and character its Patterson by a mile or two......... Bowe is / was a blow-it....... Patterson stay active and fought through thick and then over the years after his title days were over....... Bowe went to hell over night in 1996 and never truly came back in a impressive manner......... Patterson maintained conditioning, while Bowe became a full-fledged slob.......... No contest.... Patterson is greater............ However, in a time machine, punch for shot, Bowe beats Patty silly based on size and strength........ Patty too small for Bowe...... MR.BILL
Don't know if I'd completely rule out Patterson against Bowe... Remember that Herbie Hide, a very hard (and far chinnier fighter then Patterson, even if only in terms of being able to recover from a shot) jump in with hooks puncher, had Bowe out on his feet. In his own words, he was never hurt worse in the ring. :think
Patterson easily his legacy is far greater being the first two time heavyweight champ and his resume is better. Bowe resume is Holyfield twice thats it and a gift against Tubbs.
In terms of being a person, well, Patterson tops Bowe with no question......... As a fighter, well, I see Bowe stopping Patterson in a time machine......... I have footage of Floyd Patterson hanging out and filming with the late James Cagney....... That there says a lot.................. Riddick Bowe would never be invited to Cagney's farm in New York for lunch with a house guest............ Nuff said........... MR.BILL