Floyd Patterson vs Earnie Shavers

I actually think Ingo was far cuter than Ernie, far better at setting his man up.

 

Like a lot of people have said, Earnie's best chance is to land a bomb. But then he had that same chance against a variety of other fighters too and couldn't KO them. Ingo couldn't KO Patterson in 2 out of 3. Liston was the only man to put Patterson on the canvas and keep him there and Shavers was no Liston.

Patterson is faster, more talented, more skilled and sports a much better record against top heavyweights. While not as hard-hitting as Shavers, he has good power himself. Durability-wise, there isn't much to choose between them. If they meet ten times, maybe Earnie KOs him twice. The other eight, Patterson either stops him or wins a decision.

 

setting up-sure, and even more precise most of the time, but still a one trick pony. At least Shavers could fight with either hand well.

 

I think it's more likely they split fights evenly. 5 for Shavers by knockout and 5 for Patterson, 2 by knockout and 3 by decision.

 

You have more faith in Earnie than I do. He didn't KO five Floyd Patterson-level fighters in his entire career, let alone five in ten fights. As I said, Earnie's power means he can't be counted out, but it usually wasn't enough for him at world level. His shaky chin, poor stamina and vulnerability to being out-boxed were usually decisive in his biggest fights. I just think the classier Patterson is going to get the best of their series.

 

I'll admit Floyd is a much better fighter in almost every area, I just think Floyd is more vulnerable than many people give him credit for.

 

Interesting matchup.

 

When did Floyd become a big puncher?

I guess the best heavyweight he ever knocked out was Ingo ... but what do we know about Ingo’s chin? His resume doesn’t include any world-class punchers on which to judge and mostly random Euro fodder.

If Ingo is a question mark chin-wise, who’s the best man Floyd knocked out at heavy? An aging Archie Moore?

 

First fight Shavers knocks him out in 2. Second fight Patterson knocks him out in 7 at the latest.

 

He certainly had great power in both hands.

 

Although Earnie Shavers is a terrific puncher who remains dangerous, he would have to take out Floyd Patterson out early much the same way that Sonny Liston did in 1962 and 1963. But Patterson's speed and experience would prevail in the end, Floyd does also possess better stamina. Floyd remains upright to win a unanimous decision.