Floyd Patterson vs Ken Norton (Best Versions)

In his prime Floyd wins imo. Gets knocked down at least once but gets the decision

 

I agree. Patterson hit about as hard as Jerry Quarry, and Norton took Quarry's punches without much of a problem. He would do the same with Patterson.

 

This. Norton could be tricky, but Patterson at his best had incredible handspeed and a left hook that could flatten almost anybody if he connected flush.

 

The Quarry that fought Norton was completely washed up and only a shell of his former self. We’re talking primes here. Floyd packed some real power in his prime. He had good defensive skills and his hand speed was phenominal. Forget the Liston fights because Sonny would have crushed Ken in one round also. Floyd by decision or late round stoppage, imo.

 

Patterson. Tge notion that Norton is too big doesn't wash. At his best he was 209-215. Patterson wasn't terribly smaller than that.

In addition, a large part of Norton's offense was overhand rights, more easily slipped with the peek-a-boo defense. Sure, he went to the body well, but Quarry did it even better and Patterson was right there in his grill at the final bell, and deserved the nod at least once.

I can easily see Patterson's speed unsettling Norton enough for him to win a close but deserved verdict.

 

Norton by TKO.