Floyd Patterson

Nice thread. Very interesting choices sure to spark some debate. I have him losing to most of the above mentioned fighters. I could see him outboxing Wills and ko'ng Walcott. He already beat Moore and I think he still beats a more prime Archie. He could also take Norton in a hugely exciting boxing matchup. Frazier would make great fight. Some ppl may have him taking out Schmeling but I think Max is too much for him.
I could see him taking out Lyle, Braddock, Carnera, Dokes in a great fight, and for best heavyweight he could beat if he could keep him away I could see him out boxing Bowe. Probably not Bowe who fought Holyfield in first fight but any other version of him, he could dart in and out catch him with crisp hooks. Smallish quick heavy with good pop a golota with more heart.

 

He beats Spinks, Moore and outspeeds Wills.

He has a good chance of beating...Walcott, Charles and Schmeling.

He would lose to Holmes, Norton, Frazier, Marciano, Tunney and Dempsey.

 

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Max Schmeling-Patterson takes a series

Archie Moore-Patterson already KOed an excellent version

Ezzard Charles-Charles UD

Jersey Joe Walcott-this would go a series and I'm not certain who would gain the upperhand.

Rocky Marciano-Marciano

Joe Frazier-Frazier

Ken Norton-Patterson bombs him out like Moore.

Larry Holmes-Holmes

Michael Spinks-Patterson

+ Who is the greatest/best HW you would give Floyd a solid chance of beating? Schemling, Moore, & Norton.

 

he would lose to the 80s version of Iron Mike! Peekaboo vs Peekaboo ! Cus vs Cus !

 

I see a high chance of him sparking out Dempsey. Jack liked 'em big and slow by his own admission. Here he would have possibly the fastest heavy who ever lived and one who was nimble at that. Dempsey was fairly quick but if he tries to get in a gun fight with Patterson he could very likely get caught first. And make no mistake, Floyd had enough power to finish any man. Floyd was also a tenacious finisher. If and when Jack slipped up, Floyd would be all over him.

 

How you liking your sixers?

On topic; Floyd has a shot with anyone not a great puncher. Anyone.

 

Who was Floyd's best win at heavyweight?

Ingo, whose only credential is ... beating Floyd?

Eddie Machen maybe? A solid contender in the days of 190-pound heavyweights, but precious few notable wins on his ledger -- and Floyd beat him at a time when he would go on to win just three of his next 10 fights.

I don't see what supports Floyd ever beating an elite heavyweight, because while valiant he never beat any of the many elite or upper-level heavyweights that he faced.

I believe Floyd's speed is way overrated here -- there are accounts of how fast he was in his day, but A.J. Liebling (who knew well what he was watching and a guy who very much liked Patterson) says Sonny Liston was just as fast, and Sonny was nowhere in Ali's stratosphere as far as speed.

I could see him beating Wills or maybe Spinks, but the rest of those guys are a cut above any heavyweight Patterson ever beat. A more useful discussion would be what elite light heavyweights Patterson would beat.

 

I see Norton stoppng Patterson. Ken's pure physicality would be too much for Floyd.

 

- Knocking out Patterson is a pretty big deal, only Liston would match this accomplishment. Ingo also knocked out/arguably ruined Machen, and also beat alot of good euro contenders. All together, a fairly strong career.

-Patterson had a successful 20 year career that peaked with an extended reign as Champion for 6 years. For the other 10 years, he remained a relevant force in the division. People don't consider him an All Time Great boxer because of his fantastic hair.

-Many? You mean Ali and Liston? Matching up poorly against Liston and losing to Ali while injured and past prime hardly disqualifies Patterson from being favored in hypotheticial match ups against "elite" fighters.

Other than Ingo, his only other losses were disputed close decisions against Maxim, Quarry, and Ellis when he wasn't at his best. Most press and unofficial cards has him winning all three of these btw.

-Liston as fast as Patterson? AJ Liebling is simply wrong.

-Why ask what Light Heavyweights could he beat? Patterson was only a LHW for 3 years in a 20 year career.

 

Vs Joe Frazier- I think Joe Frazier would be a little to much for Patterson. I'd expect Patterson to win the first and maybe the second round but I think Frazier would take him out sometime around the 4th to the 6th it would be very entertaining while it lasted.

Vs Marciano- I think Patterson would probably carry a lot of this fight but eventually get broken down by Marciano and finished off likely around the 10th round.

Vs Norton- Would be a very good competitive fight, I think its a toss up, likely going the distance and whoever had the better night would win it.

Vs Larry Holmes- I think Holmes would beat him bad much like Ali did.

Michael Spinks- This is a hard one to call, I'm gonna say Spinks wins a decision, Spinks was a very crafty awkward fighter a really tough guy to win a decision against. I don't know if Patterson would be overwhelming to Spinks I think potentially Patterson could get the KO but if I had to bet I'd take Spinks by decision.