Floyd Patterson 1956 vs James Toney 2003

You’ve made some good points in Toney’s favour, but Patterson’s combination of speed and explosivity would be a pretty unique test for Toney, as would Patterson’s style overall. I don’t remember him facing anyone quite like Floyd

 

Floyd by UD

 

James always seemed to have trouble with opponents who were faster than him. It's an interesting matchup.

 

James was sharp as hell with his counter shots, but was Floyd fast enough to get out of the way after firing his shots. Jones Jr was fast enough but would Floyd be? I have a story about that fight straight from Bill Miller himself.

Honestly, I don't watch fights like you guys do.

I've probably seen Liston floor Patterson one hundred times doe.

But I have seen no full fights of Floyd Pattersons, just him being floored.

With that limited knowledge I'd be leaning towards James pulling this one out.

James was never ko'd, not because of his chin, but because of his eyes that see it all.


Oh yeah, is this a 12 or 15 rounder?

Toney UD Patterson

 

This is one of the most intriguing & difficult mythical matchups I've seen. I think Toney would have an advantage at close quarters, so the fight would be decided by how effectively Patterson could keep the battle at long range IMO. Neither fighter is a reliable favorite IMO.

 

It'd be hard to pick more different and more favourite fighters of mine in a match. I just cannot see Toney overcoming the savage speed and power and hustling combinations of a young Floyd Patterson with his own beautiful shot selection enough times to make up for the two-fisted hell unleashing he's going to get. Floyd's fleetness of foot and ambush combos are likely going to be a complete nightmare for James more than it would just an abundance of countering opportunity. I'm not certain that it wouldn't be the opposite but my impression about it in the kneejerk is pretty strong. In my top ten of personal favourites, you would also have Archie with both men and I would honestly be incredibly intrigued to see the Moore of the Patterson fight against the Toney of let's say the Holyfield or Ruiz fight. That'd be something I'd have less a strong impression about. Much less.

But my first impression of Patterson for Toney is he's just a bad matchup for him. James is a better boxer, and a better thinker (in boxing), but he's not a better athlete or professional and it's going to cost him here, wholly, despite the fact that James would be timing him and making adjustments, and that Floyd would be giving him plenty of chance to engage on his range turf. I just don't think it'd be enough. If you forced them into a tiny ring and negated Floyd's footwork, he'd still be far faster, harder hitting and better conditioned to throw more. He'd be out-boxed but I don't know as even then would he not be out-landing Toney if you took away his best stylistic advantage at the feet. That's how strong an impression I have that Floyd is a bad look for James because he's so impressive physically for the niche he fills as a little heavyweight who can bang and move and box like lightning against a guy who is a concrete-feet fatboy at the higher weights he fought at and not a lights out puncher among big boys. Can he hurt Floyd? Oh, yeah. I'd never suggest otherwise. He can lights-dim him. He can lights-flicker him. But I have no real concern about him earning a lights-out or any kind of stoppage or a decision. I just take Floyd outright. Too much work with too much savage grace.

I, um...I am here. I don't know if this is more of a:

https://clip.cafe/robin-hood-men-in-tights-1993/your-back-just-got-punched-twice/

 

Lights Out uppercuts Floyd to the Moon

 

Very nice fight, I like Patterson because his style is all wrong for Toney because it wouldn't be old washed Holyfield but prime fast fighter who could be undefeated if fought in LHW so no SMW would beat Patterson.

 

Young peek a boo Patterson that knocked out Ingemae and that beat Chuvalo I would pick to beat Toney, but no SMW would ever beat Patterson.
Floyd is pressure fighter and Toney never faced a fighter, swarmer like Patty.