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It's extraordinary that he still was in such a great shape, despite competing at the elite level since young age. But he took care of himself, and apart from the first fight with Ali his losses were rarely drawn out, punishing affairs. And just god given genetics. I mean, a guy his size being that fast at 37 in 1972, even today for that matter, is just flat out amazing.

 

In spite of fighting quite a few fights against fighters who were stylistic nightmares for Ali, he usually prevailed. It's a real testament to just how great Muhammad Ali was. Frazier, Norton, Patterson, and even George Chuvalo, come to mind, among others.

 

Patterson definitely had a resurgence later in his career, probably should of got atleast 1 decision vs Quarry, was robbed vs Ellis as I remember it. And performed bravely vs Ali in their rematch.

 

No, not on paper because of his serious deficits in height and reach, although a significant advantage in punching power. Plus, Ali wasn't opening himself to counters after Cooper I. Ringsiders said that early on, Floyd's hand speed was indeed a match for Ali's but he simply could not get close enough to score. Patterson kept stepping back to try drawing Muhammad in, but that just didn't work. You can't beat who you can't hit anywhere on the body, and that was Ali with his height, reach, overall speed and mobility.

Henry Cooper fought both at their very fastest in back to back bouts (with Ali famously trained down to 201), and said Floyd actually had the faster hands. There's some evidence of this in that footage, as Sir Henry was able to make Ali miss a bit while not being able to avoid Patterson's shots. Interestingly, Cooper did have some success reaching Ali's body in their rematch, but Henry had an extremely well educated left. Cooper was the challenger Ali feared and respected most during his first title reign, and with excellent reason after their first match.

 

Regarding Chuvalo and Patterson, both said Ali was a vastly superior athlete in the 1960's. Like Patterson, I just don't see Frazier getting close enough to score much in 1967, 1968 or 1969. I think Ali-Norton in the 1960's would have looked a lot like their middle bout, except far more lopsided for Ali, who wouldn't have been battering Norton with his power like he did in their second match.

 

Yes, post-title Floyd was a very good fighter, more intelligent (and arguably better) than he was when he actually held the crown.

 

It might be argued that Ali began the fight a bit laid back, but I doubt he bargained for several of the heavy, lightning quick combos that Floyd laid on him. Several punches landed by Floyd did appear to shake Ali a bit and "wake" him up to the fact that Floyd wasn't one to be played with. I think Ali said as much after the fight also. Floyd's hand speed was amazing absolute and particularly so for his age. Fortunately, the footage from their 72 fight is of high quality and incredibly clear.

 

I'll say this about Floyd. Except for Quarry, he lost only to champions. I'm including Johansson, who became champ by defeating Patterson. And Ingo was European champion when they fought. Floyd never lost to a bad or middling opponent. In the final year of his long career be beat Bonavena.
Floyd suffered tremendous criticism for ducking good challengers when he was managed by Cus D'amato. But after he split from Cus he fought the best in the division except Frazier. I like Floyd but I doubt very much that he could have beaten Frazier after 1966.

 

Yeah, Because Muhammad Ali as champion from 1964-1967 was not vulnerable like he was in his second career.

 

Seems to me Floyd was all wrong for Ali in several ways — he fought with his shoulders very square, for one thing, and he really didn’t know how to close the distance except to leap in with his kangaroo punches (as opposed to, like Frazier, bobbing and weaving and working his way in while punching).

Yes Floyd had hand speed but he was rarely in position to use it, and jumping in like a frog wasn’t going to cut it against someone with Ali’s ring IQ, awareness, nimbleness of foot and reflexes … the target Patterson was leaping at wasn’t there by the time his body arrived.

 

I think he was. Patterson Dealt with boxers pretty well. Had fast hands, good stamina, decent power, etc. Former world champion.