Walcott KO’s him IMO, very smart, very hard puncher and FP was a lot smaller and not a durable fighter.
These guys aren't that close. I love Floyd he was fast & beautiful at times. But the 50's Charles & walcott are far superior to the mid 60's. A reason Liston looked so good was beating up on a very weak class. While discrediting Marciano for fighting them at the end of their prime. I felt like marciano faced the prime Walcott he peaked late...and Charles was still very very not far removed from his peak. Marciano had issues with both of them because they were so good. Patterson was having issue's with INGE which is way below what they were.. Boxing got worse at the turn of 1960 at least at heavyweight. The 50's wasn't dynamite...but it was ahead of the beginning of the 60's in my option. As the old guard retired & were replaced with many bums. Of course none of this is facts it's just my option. I don't trust anyone whom passes their option as a fact. Don't be so narcissist that you think you can predict fate. Floyd could really box I'm not taking anything away from his talent but his chin is an issue. Walcott would set him up like a bowling pin & strike.
This topic is going to give some people heart palpitations. There are those on here who cannot conceive of either of these two losing a fight H2H (even though they did, an especially in Walcott’s case quite often).
Patterson was just a much more proven winner against better competition. He just came along during the era of Liston/Ali who account for half his losses over a long career. Floyd was a sharper, more concussive, snappier puncher than Marciano. I think he KO's Walcott earlier.
Can’t call this because Walcott had such a disjointed career. When he was probably at his best in 47 when he fought Louis he was considered an old journeyman. Walcott was huge problem for Louis. He was quicker than Louis and had very good power. So a lot of people are thinking Patterson had glass jaw and Walcott with his power knocks him out like Liston and Ingo. Patterson fought Ingo twice and wasn’t knocked out and knocked Ingo to Kingdom come. As for the Liston comparison 47 Walcott was not Sonny Liston. He was good but not at that level. Patterson executed terrible game plan vs Liston and Listons size and power intimidated him. Walcott would not enjoy the same advantages. Look at how Patterson totally outclassed Archie Moore a contemporary of Walcott. Even a prime Patterson probably doesn’t do that to Walcott but he could beat him. Info had to pick maybe Patterson close decision.
I don't know. Walcott seemed stronger and more powerful, Patterson is faster and has the speed advantage. Walcott had a better chin. Both had the punching power to hurt the other. That left hook he detonated Charles with could do a number on Patterson but the left hook Patterson hit Ingo with could probably put Walcott away. I'm undecided.
Walcott was simply too mercurial with his work rate and counter opportunities imo. Horrendous trait to have against a well developed, consistent speedster like Patterson. Walcott would score some class counters but I think Patterson would eventually overwhelm Joe and win on a rounds basis.
When Walcott fought Louis he was the outstanding contender and just cleared out the division as throughly as Liston did… check his record after his 4? Year break.
As thoroughly as Liston hardly. Walcott beat Archie Moore but they were contemporaries. A very young Patterson totally dominated Moore and knocked him out in 5 with one punch. How tough would a prime Floyd beat?