I did a search first and couldn't find this matchup, not that the ESB search function is worth a ****. I think this would have been a great fight in their perspective primes.
I'd have Charles by decision, depends if he throws big if he does i think he wins by ko but he may hold back and box to a decision
Charles was by far the better fighter. He'd win by comfortable decision unless Patterson managed to really press him. Then Charles would stop him.
Charles was the better and more solid fighter and his accomplishments at heavyweight were better with wins over Walcott,Louis, Floyd had a good win over the post Marciano beat down Moore and not the same Moore as even prior to Marciano. Floyd had some excellent speed and power but was not as solid or durable as Charles...No way even the best Floyd survives the 1st Marciano fight like Charles did
I think this is a closer fight than you guys have it, against men of his own size and weight Floyd was a match for most. He was easily dropped but mostly from a lack of balance, had good recuperative powers, good movement(ironically in light of my off balance point above) good power,stamina, skill,speed and courage.
I picked Charles by KO but I could see this fight going the distance with either man winning by close decision. IMO, Charles was the better overall fighter. Patterson was more of a brawler. Both had good speed and power and were similar in size. I'll give Patterson my vote in picking who had the harder left hook. Patterson was down more than any other HW Champ (20 times) but almost half of these knockdowns were to Liston and Johansson. He went 0-2 vs. Liston and 2-1 (2) vs. Ingo. In most of the other fights he was knocked down in, he usually won. He was stopped 5 times (Liston x2, Johansson, and Ali x2). Patterson beat Durelle W8 and KO5, was robbed vs. Maxim L8, he beat Moore KO5, Machen W12, drew with and lost a MD to Quarry, lost a close fight to Ellis, beat Bonavena W10 and others. Charles was awesome between 1946-1951 (mid-1951). During this stretch he went 39-1 (24) overall and 9-0 (5) in HW World Title Fights. The only loss was a questionable SD to Elmer Ray. Charles beat Ray in a rematch, KO9. During this time Charles also beat Archie Moore, Lloyd Marshall, Jimmy Bivins, Sam Bouradi (who later died from injuries sustained in their 1948 fight, many feel that Charles pulled his punches after this), Joe Baksi, Joey Maxim, Jersey Joe Walcott, Gus Lesnevich, and Joe Louis among others. Charles has the better resume. Charles gets my vote.
Good fight and a hard one to call. I lean slightly toward Charles. Maybe because of his superior chin.
pattersons speed and style will give charles trouble, maybe not enough to win, but the first 10 rds would be fantastic
Ezz is one of my ATF!! Floyd is my ATF! No way Ezz knocks out Floyd. Ezz is a greater LtHvy All time than Floyd at any weight. But, styles make fights and Charles would have trouble with Floyd. Tho I can easily see an Ezzard UD I think folks continue to sell Patterson short in these 'fantasy' bouts.
