I am going to make a bold prediction. Floyd wins this by DEC. If Walcott and Charles could do it then Patterson could win as well Floyd with his speed and abiity befuddles Joe into making mistakes. Floyd probably goes down once, but I do not see how Joe, with his slow feet, can match up against Pattersons blazing hands and movement. In truth, there is a solid chance Joe gets KOed. What is your take?
You're using triangle philosophy. However, it really doesn't matter since Joe was no longer prime against Walcott or Charles. On the other hand, I do think Floyd's style would trouble Louis greater than either Charles or Walcott. Floyd would not be easy to jab on or even land anything on. Joe would have to be able to move back and forth with Floyd, and quickly. Louis by close decision or TKO.
Prime Louis, Patterson runs but can't hide. Don't understand why your using the version of Louis that fought Charles and Walcott. He was clearly at the end of the line as far as his career was concerned. But prime vs prime, Louis eventually tracks Patterson down, stops him with in 10rds. Patterson handspeed and power would make it tough for Louis . But his average foot speed and not great chin or defense would be his downfall.
Patterson was probably the second fastest heavy behind only Ali. Joe was pretty flat footed. I just see Patterson being to slick and fast for Joe. He wont be able to land cleanly on Floyd with his combinations. Prime or not. I know it is an unpopular opinion, but I still think Patterson has the right style to beat Joe. Joe did not have the best chin, or defense, and he struggled with other great technicians until his accuracy and power would bail him out. Patterson has some pop. He Is a good combination thrower himself. Styles make fights. I just think Patterson has what it takes. When did anyone with Floyds speed and peek a boo style ever fight Louis?
Have you seen what slower, lumbering Liston did to him? Yet you believe that Patterson would beat Joe Louis???
Floyd never won any close decisions did he? Maxim, Quarry and Ellis.. for some reason the judges never gave him a break.
Louis had problems with movers like Conn and Walcott but if you really watch Patterson especially his first fight with Liston, he liked to fight with aggression and would stand and trade. That would be a huge mistake for him against Louis. When I think of Patterson, I think of his hand speed and his slipping and ducking. I really don't think of him as an outside on his toes guy like Ali. Patterson was certainly fast but speed isn't what troubled Louis, it was movement. Louis by KO.