Floyd Patterson - Rating Skills

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Vic-JofreBRASIL, Nov 12, 2010.

  1. RockysSplitNose

    RockysSplitNose Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I have a Muhammad Ali book where Ali selects certain opponents based on who was the hardest punchers, toughest, meanest etc etc:

    He said the scariest fighter he ever faced was without doubt Sonny Liston

    He said the most powerful puncher he faced was George Foreman

    He said the toughest opponent he faced was without doubt Joe Frazier

    BUT HE SAID THE MOST SKILLFUL FIGHTER HE FACED AS A BOXER WAS FLOYD PATTERSON
     
  2. frankwornank

    frankwornank Active Member Full Member

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    Floyd was an awesome younger and lighter fighter. His power and speed had him demolishing opponents. Guys like Jimmy Slade etc. As he got bigger, his approach really did not change. Floyd was above all other things, a puncher. When he started fighting bigger guys, his punch took less effect on his opponents and their punch effected him more. Floyd in my view was not a good mover. He actually had one leg that was shorter than the other and he did not move that well. If you watched him walk, he had that swagger to his walk. That was not attitude, it was that shorter leg that caused the sway to his walk. He was a very fast, accurate and hard puncher. Pound for pound, he was a heck of a fighter. He was a bit inconsistent but when on his game, he was a dangerous, explosive and exciting fighter to watch.