Floyd Patterson's comeback in the early 70's

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mr. magoo, Sep 22, 2009.


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  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    From September of 1970 to September of 1972, Floyd Patterson launched a comeback winning 9 fights, including victories over Oscar Bonavena, Pedro Agosto, and Terry Daniels, before losing to Muhammad Ali in the last fight of his career.

    How good was Floyd during this time, and was he a worthy challenger in your opinion?
     
    mr. magoo, Sep 22, 2009
    mr. magoo, Sep 22, 2009
    #1
  2. Hydraulix

    Hydraulix Left Hook From Hell.. Full Member

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    This content is protected
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    Hydraulix, Sep 22, 2009
    Hydraulix, Sep 22, 2009
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  3. junior-soprano

    junior-soprano Active Member Full Member

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    hmm i did not know this but if he won from bonavena he most have been good. cause bonavena was a good, tough fighter
     
    junior-soprano, Sep 22, 2009
    junior-soprano, Sep 22, 2009
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  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Jesus Hydraulix, change your font, that hurts my eyes.
     
    McGrain, Sep 22, 2009
    McGrain, Sep 22, 2009
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  5. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He was one of the better "boxing" heavyweights. Had a good left hook. In one of the few championship fights I've seen I saw him KO a long, tall opponent by throwing exactly "two punches". Both left hooks. But when he met Ali in the ring he met his worst nightmare, a guy that could outbox and out punch him. An all time great, probably not. But someone who advanced the science of the sport and could hold his head up high in his retirement years, absolutely.
     
    Chinxkid, Sep 22, 2009
    Chinxkid, Sep 22, 2009
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  6. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    I beleive he was, he was around 37 when he last challenged Ali and put up a spirited fight without ever really putting Ali in jeopardy.
    I havent watched the fight for some years but I think Floyd sustained a badly swollen eye .I would think Patterson at that time was as good a challenger as Folley or Williams had been.Think it was a tko 7rds for Ali ,for the NABF title.
     
    mcvey, Sep 22, 2009
    mcvey, Sep 22, 2009
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  7. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I only saw a few brief clips of his second match with Ali, and that was a number of years ago. So frankly, I can't comment on it. Floyd did however manage to stay very active, and I'm guessing was one of the better contenders around circa 1972. I've always wondered how he might have done against say, Joe Frazier.
     
    mr. magoo, Sep 22, 2009
    mr. magoo, Sep 22, 2009
    #7
  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I've seen very few HWs who looked as goodat 37 as Floyd did. He was trim, still at his prime weight, fast and pretty nimble. Not as fluid as he was at his best of course, but a very well preserved guy for his age. I haven't seen the fight against Bonavena, but if he could keep up with a bruiser like that (which he evidently must have done) his stamina must still have been good.

    I would not have liked to see him against Frazier in the early 70's, though. That could really have ruined him. I think he went out in a very dignified way against Ali, without really taking a beating. Good way to end a terrific career.
     
    Bokaj, Sep 22, 2009
    Bokaj, Sep 22, 2009
    #8
  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    I think Frazier would have been a bad matchup for Patterson at that time.
     
    mcvey, Sep 22, 2009
    mcvey, Sep 22, 2009
    #9
  10. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I imagine you're probably right. Floyd did very well against certain types of boxers, but pressure fighters were usually a problem for him, and I think that holds just as true in his prime as it did in old age..

    I do think that a prime Patterson may have given Joe some trouble for a few rounds, but Frazier's relentless pressure and attack might break Floyd down a bit later.
     
    mr. magoo, Sep 22, 2009
    mr. magoo, Sep 22, 2009
    #10
  11. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    He was good. He was more cautious, more tucked to his chin to avoid getting hurt or busted up. He tried boxing in and out and didn't jump at counters as much. All and all he was a good fighter still. His output may have slightly dropped. Ali was talking badly about how he was going to embarrass him during their second fight. Fight had controversy about it. Floyd threatened to leave after being told to change. Ali refused to change, but the fight ended up just happening anyway. They both wore white trunks with black trim.
     
    PetethePrince, Sep 22, 2009
    PetethePrince, Sep 22, 2009
    #11
  12. OBCboxer

    OBCboxer Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He was a good challenger; just a step below the elite level.
     
    OBCboxer, Sep 22, 2009
    OBCboxer, Sep 22, 2009
    #12
  13. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    TheGreatA, Sep 22, 2009
    TheGreatA, Sep 22, 2009
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  14. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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    :lol: :good
     
    djanders, Sep 22, 2009
    djanders, Sep 22, 2009
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  15. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Sorry ,can't read this, try white type.
     
    mcvey, Sep 23, 2009
    mcvey, Sep 23, 2009
    #15
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