I took Floyd as he is the superior fighter, but, the Cleveland that went toe to toe with Liston would be extremely dangerous for Floyd.
Both were too reckless to make an accurate prediction for my 0.2$. I think so too but I’m not well read on the subject.
Williams was never a mandatory ala Machen and Floyd where it was inexcusable that he didn’t get a shot. But Patterson absolutely could’ve defended against him in a non-mandatory like he did with London, and Radamacher. I’d probably lean towards him avoiding Williams given he seemed to have done so four years later.
Patterson had too much class for Williams. A perusal of Williams's record shows he was fed a steady diet of inferior opponents. In a career that lasted more than 20 years he fought nearly 100 times but beat only one contender, Ernie Terrell in 1962, 13 years after he turned pro. He drew with a troubled Eddie Machen in his home town of Houston and defeated a couple of fringe guys like Alex Miteff and Billy Daniels but lost consistently when he had to face anyone good. His reputation was of someone who folded when faced with an opponent who could punch back. It was said that Floyd and others avoided Williams but I suspect Cleveland's most dangerous opponent besides Sonny Liston was himself.
This is a difficult one. This is obviously not a good stylistic match for Patterson. Williams looks a lot better on the eye test, than his record shows him to be mediocre.
I have to go with Patterson. On paper, Williams should win, but his record doesn't give me confidence. Although, he is a dangerous opponent for Patterson and could spring an upset.
Tough fight for Patterson. He could outbox Williams, but Cleveland can box a bit too... Also punch. I have to believe Patterson wins a decision. If not, he gets hammered.
