Floyd Patterson vs Joe Louis

Louis (Boxer Puncher) vs Patterson (swarmer/boxer)

Power: Louis
Speed: Close, but Patterson
Chin: Louis
Technique: Louis
Footwork: Patterson
Combinations: Even
Body punching: Louis
Versatility: Patterson
Stamina: Even
Defense: Louis
Ring IQ: Louis
Accuracy: Patterson
Killer instinct: Louis
Heart: Louis

8-2-4 advantage Louis

On paper Patterson has many tools that could frustrate Louis. He is blazingly fast, has good accuracy, can get himself into the best positions for delivering power with good leverage, etc. His peak a boo skills are 2nd only to Tyson, and he's versatile enough to box at mid range.

The problem is that Louis has him both outgunned in terms of power and is the better overall boxer in terms of technique. Not by an overwhelming amount, but enough that this becomes a bit of a bad matchup. Louis wasn't super durable either and could have defensive issues, but his weren't as bad as Patterson who hit the deck oodles of times and had a very suspect chin. What makes thing worse is that Patterson often fought on the front foot and pressed towards opponents--2 things that you probably don't want to do against Louis unless you have very good durability and skill.

Conclusion: This fight could literally end in 1 round, the 4th, or even the 10th. It depends on the mentality of both fighters. If both come out aggressively letting their hands fly, Patterson is demolished early and painfully. If Patterson tries to be patient using his legs, getting in and out, he can make things interesting and competitive. The more cautious he is, the better his chances. But Louis is such an overwhelming presence in this matchup and has the size, power, speed, and technique to find Patterson more often than not even if he fights a cagey defensive fight. And it wouldn't take very many flush punches from Louis to drop Patterson or finish him off. Louis by KO within 5 rounds 80% of the time is my guess. It would be a very thrilling match to watch two super fast and skilled punchers clashing for however long it lasts.

 

I could see Patterson perhaps scoring a knockdown - people chronically undersell his power, more enamoured with his absurd handspeed (this would be the only time Louis in his career faced a man with quicker paws, & it might tell briefly).

However it is hard to imagine Louis failing to capitalise the entire night on Patterson’s crouching approach - take a look at Arturo Godoy’s face after trying that style.

 

Footwork & accuracy to Patterson!?

 

BTW--the cited quote posted above is absolutely spot-on!! 100% agree with this!! Very well stated!!

 

Louis had incredibly slow feet, and Patterson had amazing accuracy. That doesn't mean I think Louis had bad accuracy.

 

Speed is not the only measure of footwork - Ali has distorted this perception for too many people. I can count on one hand the amount of times I saw Louis out of position to punch. His footwork is not flashy or obvious, but it is, once understood, among the most flawless in division history.

Similarly I’m not sure I could name a more accurate puncher than Louis. Patterson was not an inaccurate fighter, but he could be at times. Watching some of his combinations in the second Johansson fight, it seems almost like he’s throwing so fast he can’t control the punches entirely (reminds me of a young Zab Judah). I certainly wouldn’t put him on Louis’ level for accuracy, but to each his own.

Louis knocks him out for me though Patterson is not without a chance of a knockdown first. As I stated people tend to undersell his punching power.

 

I I like Joe Louis by a knockout late in the fight.

 

We both agree Louis knocks Patterson out, so there's no sense in going back and forth over subjective things such as effective footwork or accuracy.

 

Agreed. Patterson was an accurate puncher, but Louis was possibly the most accurate puncher of all time.