Let's tweak history a little. Supposing,instead of Liston,Patterson signed to fight the 20 year old Cassius Clay in '62 ? The Floyd of the first Liston bout v the embryonic Muhammad Ali who beat Archie Moore.
Patterson's left hook on Clay's jaw in the middle of the round instead of at the end as in the Cooper fight.......8..9...10....you're out.
Not so sure,Longhorn. Okay the 20 year old Cassius Clay was still a distance away from the Muhammad Ali who trounced Patterson three years later,but I still visualise young Cassius causing Floyd no end of problems. It would be a very close one.
at this stage, Clay A very Talented boy against Patterson, a talented - and unintimadated man, I think Floyd could do what Doug Jones nearly did, hurt Clay and keep the upper hand, with Clay perhaps keeping on the move to survive the distence, the following two years saw a growth spurt from and an immence increase in his physical capabilities, Floyd had long since physically plateaued out and it was confidence and desire which would dictate Floyds performance, he looked pretty tough in beating Chuvalo, so unless you were a monster like Sonny, you were probably in for a difficult time with this Floyd, Clay a tad immature physically at this stage i feel ( A young Cassius did embarass Ingo Johannsen in sparring - but that was sparring - could he of done that in a real fight at that time ??)
Yeah, I think that Clay would be too young, inexperienced and immature to deal with Floyd. He´d would cause him trouble, no doubt about that, but Patterson would win this fight. Proabably by decision though.
Mulling it over,I agree with your synopsis. Clay would n't have been quite ready to beat Patterson at this point. Cassius would have put up a good show,and last the distance,thus clearing the way for a rematch about a year down the line.
