Floyd Patterson; Did he play the color game?

I think it was more Cus than Floyd.

 

Rademacher, London and McNeely was obviously soft touches, but what about Roy Harris. Was he any good?

It should be noted, though, that Floyd took on three nr.1 contenders during his reign. That he was KO'd by two of them probably explains why Cus was reluctant to see him against Machen, Folley, Williams etc.

 

Despie being nr.1 contender, Johansson was considered an easy defense.

 

Decent boxer, solid technique, unbeaten, highly rated. I think he qualifies as a good title defense. Obviously people would prefer to have seen Floyd against the likes of Folley and Machen, but they did disappoint against each other and then against Johansson/Cooper. In fairness to him Patterson fought Johansson instantly, although his management thought he would be an easy proposition.

 

I don't know about Jackson, but Ingo and Liston certainly deserved to be ranked nr. 1. Ingo was undefeated, Europ champ and had just brutally KO'd Machen (the then top contender) in one round. Liston needs no further presentation of course.

 

Wins over Bob Baker and Pastrano, who was then a top 5 contender. Charley Norkus, Alejandro Lavorante, Willi Besmanoff and Charlie Powell were also decent wins.

 

The colour game ended with Joe Louis. Look into the newspapers of the time, I doutb you will find any commentator mentioning this.

 

I was recently thinking about this. But as mentioned earlier I think that it was D'Amato who pulled the strings. After Floyd decided to fight Liston, he and Cus splitted.

 

6 fights and only 2 with D'Amato