Could/would Patterson have taken the title from Marciano?

In '56 Rocky would be 1 year older and more faded, and would suffer speed/movement disadvantages worse than Charles/Walcott presented. What people forget is Patterson had loads of P4P power and overcame 2 big punchers in Moore and Johansen to win and regain the title. Marciano could be hurt, Patterson might be the 1 to actually stop him. Rocky could ofcourse stop Patterson but its not as easy as some like to make out

 

I think Patterson may have pulled off the win, at that time. I don't arrive at this because of anything I saw in the ring, but because of Marciano's retirement. Marciano retired because his body was breaking down. Marciano was 49-0. You can't tell me he wasn't tempted to be 50-0. 50-0 sounds so complete. When champions retire, they most often come back. Sometimes this is due to financial reasons, but most often it is the need to perform. Marciano never gave in, and I think it was because he knew he was incapable of performing at his previous standard.

I would pick Marciano head to head, I rank him higher all time, and I would have picked him had I been alive when the fight would have come off. I think the fact that he retired tells me that he would not have prevailed.

 

I read that Marciano was thinking about coming back in 59 when Johansson got the title from Patterson. Didn't think much of Ingemar apparently. He would've made some serious dough on that, I think. Remember Floyd wasn't in any hurry to move up in weight and try to score a fight with Marciano in 55 either. I think it would've been a good fight though. I have no problems with Floyd's chin. Two of the five times he was stopped were from Sonny Liston. Once was to undefeated Johansson, once to 21-0 version of Ali, and lastly in his very last fight to the 38-1 Ali on cuts and swelling. Consider that and that he was a light heavyweight who moved up, and had never been stopped a light heavyweight, I think he took punches pretty well, all things considered. He was very talented, damn fine hitter to boot. Wouldn't have been an easy night for either man, I don't think.

 

Patterson would have been my favourite to win a close decision, but the likelyhood that Marciano knocks him out before the distance seems more probable.

Marciano is one of the best of all time in terms of late power because of his incredible stamina. Patterson's fast hands would have given him a fair lead over the first 9 rounds, perhaps 5 to 3 with 1 even round. I'd bet on Marciano at that time to close the gap giving it his all in what could have been his last potential championship fight if he didn't retire.

 

Well he was only 20 in fairness in '55 and weighing as little as 166lbs that year. I reckon if Marciano stayed on, they'd look to let him mature a bit more and fight him around '57. Patterson looked sensational against Moore though, doing to him what his namesake did to Gatti but ko'ing him for good measure, Marciano sounded impressed himself commenating on it

 

Marciano scoring two KDs in early rounds, then Patterson recuperating and winning on points or even TKO due to Marciano cuts.

 

I think Rocky even at 32 breaks Floyd in half over 15 ...

 

I think Floyd was a very good fighter and despite back problems gave Ali a good battle and landed well.I dont think Cus would have brought Floyd up to heavyweight if Marciano did not retire or unless he really started to slip. Marciano was all wrong for Floyd. The Rock was very heavy handed and relentless and If Floyd went down there is no way he would recover. Only a few fighters got off the floor to survive a chasing Rocky. a 37-0 Lastarza did it the 1st fight but a 53-3 Lastarza who beat every man who ever beat him except Rocky entering that fight, could not survive the 2nd fight. I cant see Floyd beating Marciano or even surviving him. Rocky ruined fighters and he may have ruined Floyd as Cus suspected

 

Lets not forget that this 1956 Patterson, until he parted with Cus, was a head first fighter. He charge in, as the Liston fights show, and even his fights with the Swed.

Unlike Walcott or Charles, Marciano would not need to be chaseing Patterson, because Floyed would be standed right there, bob and weaving, and comeing INTO the Rock's deadly range.

Sooner or later, and I expect sooner, Marciano will land, and ko Patterson, after a few rounds of a amazing brawl.

Patterson didnt adopt that boxing style until after he lost the title. This fight is not going to last long imo.

 

I think Patterson would do well to start but Rocky wears him down in the mid rounds. The fight gets stopped somewhere between rounds 6-10.

 

I have to agree with Mr. Bill. I think Floyd would've been too fast for Rocky by '55. I could see Patterson's fast hands carving up a much slower Rocky en route to a stoppage. Floyd could punch as well and would certainly get Rocky's attention early. Of course Marciano of say '52 would've destroyed a 21 yr old Patterson but the 55 version would probably lose to the Patterson that ko'ed Moore.

 

But Patterson of 56 would be in Rocky's punching range. Patterson may have the fast hands, may even drop Marciano perhaps, BUT, he would not dance away. If Ingo could take out Patterson, I feel pretty sure Marciano even at 33 could do it.

 

Rocky not comparable to Ingemar Johansson?

 

People make wayy too much of the Archie Moore comparison. When a 21 year old Patterson fought a SWARMER with a hurricane style like Marciano's in Tommy Jackson, Jackson gave him all kind of fits that led to a split decision. Patterson was 21, he was still a boy in many areas including maturity and even physically(still at 182lb)...he was extremley fragile to being caught by a big bomb at that age. I think the aging but much more experienced marciano would overwhelm Floyd. I simply cannot see how a teenager can walk into Marciano and outbrawl him. Floyds youthness and blazing speed will spell trouble the first couple rounds vs marciano, but what happens when rock hits him once? twice? three times? Don't forget, while Rocky was slowing down by 56, I think his defense was at its peak. He actually looked quite slick against moore in his crouch...It is not as if the young flashy floyd will be able to tee off on Marciano at will. Prime Rocko wins by early knockout similiar to the way Liston and Ingo did.


1956 Marciano KO 9 Floyd- fight close on points, until floyd down 5 times from rounds 7-9