Primes: Evander Holyfield vs. Floyd Patterson

So, it seems as if I'm the only one picking Patterson. I guess Paterson would fight Holyfield similar to how he fought often in the second part of his career, more boxing less crowding. I think Patterson is faster and better technically, Holyfield is sturdier, sronger, not bad technically himself. I would give Paterson a slight edge in power and like you guys already know I don't buy that Patterson was chinny myth. Neither man will knock out the other. Maybe Holyfield will knock Patterson down early but I wouldn' bet on it.
I think Patterson will use his handspeed, bobbing and weaving to move in and out scoring nive on boh ranges while Holyfield tries to impose himself onto him and force him into a brawl. Both will have success wih their tactics. Don't get me wrong it will be a very close fight and probably a controversial one. But I think Patterson edges it. Something like 6-5-1 in rounds.

 

Like I said there may be one early in favour of Holy but I wouldn' bet on it.

Patterson wasn' knocked down tha often in the second half of his career. He altered his style a bit and his balance was better. Additionally, when he was really determined, think Johannson II, his "stage fever" wasn't there. I think you have to take this Patterson here.

 

I know. But like I said I wouldn't be on it and it may be a controversial fight. I covered all bases

 

I don't think Patterson was glass jawed but certainly vulnerable.

Whilst I agree that Ingo had better single shot power than Holyfield I can imagine a Holyfield flurry or single counter shot either really buzzing Patterson (allowing Holy to finish him) or dropping him.

 

I struggle to come up with any names that Holyfield KO'd early though. Buster Douglas is one but he seemed to bow out after getting hit with one solid punch. Patterson wouldn't.

Patterson was never downed after the first 3-4 rounds, would a fight against Holyfield have been an exception?

 

Now these are good points.

My early prediction was stupid. Holy was not a fast starter, and the Douglas K.O is one scored through patience, not through all-out aggression (I do think that was a pretty precise counter right as Douglas was throwing the uppercut, though Busters girth helped him stay down as long as he did) and these stats against Floyd are good ones.

But I just can't see him standing up to the barrage he would receive at different points throughout the fight. And even if Patterson does choose to box, Holy can negate that as well.

I think with Floyd it seems to be if he can do this to a tee he might win. Whereas with Holy I just feel pretty confident he can offset Pattersons attributes with his own.

But carry on, it's now far more intriguing than I first envisioned, and as always I'm a sponge:good

 

Holyfield by TKO.

 

Holyfield is a better puncher then Ali.

Holyfield 6-10 round TKO.

 

Patterson is a better boxer that given credit for and quicker than Evander. He would cause Holy problems with his movement. Also Floyd could hit a bit, and Evander was easy to hit. I could see Vander walking into a lot of big punches in his haste. Holy was a good puncher, but not great, so while he may have been able to hurt Floyd, I don't know if he would have been able to ko Floyd once Patterson got going. In a decision, I would pick Patterson, In a ko or stoppage, I'd go with Holyfied. I think a Cruiserweight Holyfield would have a much better chance of beating Floyd than the HW Holy.

 

The latter, yes.

He was the first fighter ever to floor both Bowe and Mercer, he's the only fighter ever to actually KO Qawi, he floored and stopped Tyson, he one-shot KO'd Douglas, and he has a host of other notable stoppage wins (Moorer, Dokes, Tillis, Thomas, etc.). He certainly had enough power to halt the smaller and weak-chinned Patterson.

 

:-(

 

This would be a joy to watch. Two heavies dancing with a grace of Barishnikov. I pick Holy by clear UD but Floyd is game and competitive. Evander is bigger and stronger and that is the key factor.