At light heavyweight how is the Patterson chin?

It’s probably still a moderate issue, but one thing immensely overlooked is Patterson’s bravery. Take a look at that first fight with Johansson, it’s every bit as courageous as Frazier was against Foreman. To say nothing of the heart he showed in their third fight, or to get back in the ring with Johansson at all after that initial bout.

Then he went in twice against Liston, even after tasting his power in the first meeting. A LHW could put him down, but could they keep him down? No, in my opinion.

 

I think Patterson’s chin would be fine - particularly if you accept that several of the KDs he suffered were due to early career stylistic recklessness and being caught somewhat off balance.

The 1972, 37 yo version soaked up some hard shots from a much bigger, second career Ali but did not go down - a cut eye cutting his night short.

Not chin related but I’ll also add that in the rematch, Floyd def. rocked Muhammad himself - Patto was a terrific P4P puncher.

 

In Floyd's time, anything over 175 pounds was a Heavyweight. I have heard of modern Light Heavyweights actually entering the ring as high as 200 pounds, so, if Floyd was a Light Heavyweight today, he would be fighting Heavyweights anyway, yes?