Joe Frazier vs. Floyd Patterson

It's also interesting J that Sonny Liston was intensionally left out of the eliminations. Just think of the matches that could have been made: Liston - Quarry, Liston - Ellis, Liston - Frazier. Wow!

 

Floyd had a very good left hook, but I don't think a left hook would do much against Frazier. The way to beat Frazier was through straight punches (if you wanted to keep distance - which most wanted) or uppercuts (if you wanted to score a KO - but that's was Foreman territory). Left hooking with Frazier wouldn't do Patterson much good.

 

Actually Sonny was left out of the elimination tourney for legitimate reasons. At that time, he was just starting out on his comeback and had fought only a few journeymen over in Sweden so I'm assuming the powers that be weren't going to take a chance on him at that point.

What always surprised me about that elimination tourney was the fact that I have heard that Thad Spencer was the favorite going in. Has anyone else heard of this? Who had he beaten going in? After decisioning a listless Terrell, he never won a single fight the rest of his "career"...amazing.

 

I had also read that Sonny couldn't get licensed in N.Y. State, therefore bouts in the Garden were out of the question. And although Sonny was fading,he was still considered quit dangerous. At any rate,your right. Spencer was considered the favorite.

 

Frazier didn't really have a questionable chin.
Ali battered the poor sod for 43 rounds, and Foreman, one of the heaviest punchers in history, KO'd him.
So what?

 

Frazier was also knocked down twice by Oscar "Ringo" Bonavena, but otherwise, no, I don't see any indication of him having a terrible chin.

Just looking at knockdowns, Floyd Patterson was knocked down more than any other Heavyweight Champion in history. He also got up more times than any other one, and in my opinion, is ridiculously underated as far as how great he was and how he'd fare against other champions in these kinds of match-ups.

He had the fastest hands in Heavyweight boxing history (or second to Ali), and his peek-a-boo style would tend to make entertaining fights. Furthermore, when he wanted to, he could punch. Just ask Ingaemar Johanson, whom Patterson scored one of the great knockouts over.

The interesting thing is that, in this fight, you've got two Heavyweight champions on the smaller side, and both who have famous left-hooks. But I'd say Patterson's boxing ability would make a better fight than one would originally estimate. He'd keep his hands up and move, while Frazier would be mostly effective to the body. After ten or eleven rounds of mayhem, I see Patterson inching ahead (despite being knocked down, probably, in the fight), and winning a majority/unanimous decision.

Patterson W12 Frazier:bbb

 

That's kind of how I see it. Frazier's power is overrated IMO, he was more of an acculumation puncher.

 

His compact left-hook was grand, but generally his knockouts did come from hefty body-work and solid amounts of pressure.

I think Floyd Patterson, at his very best, I'm talking Patterson-Johannson II, he takes Joe Frazier by decision.

But some would argue that Frazier's hook would land and Patterson goes down, similiar to the Liston fight. There's a strong case for that hapenning, I just don't think so. It's not the same scenario, and again, I'm saying Patterson at his best.

What it comes down to is that Patterson's hand speed and courage would enable him to get up from a knockdown or two that Frazier may or may not score with the left-hook, and his speed and courage would, IMO, enable him to make it a great fight, with him taking the close decision.

 

Not so sure.

Everybody who fought Frazier was awed by his power as far as I know. Including guys who fought Liston, Foreman, Tyson etc.

 

Joe would be way too quick for floyd

 

How so?:huh He did not have the faster hands. Check out Floyd Patterson's greatest hits on ESPN Classic (or Youtube). Patterson's speed> Frazier's speed, and I don't think it's that close to be honest.

 

Frazier walked right over guys like Ellis, Quarry and Foster and pressured Ali to the absolute limit and beyond. I can't for my life see how Floyd would survive this. This is really a no brainer for me. Patterson was made for Frazier.

 

Smokin' Joe by TKO in 6.

 

Agreed, i don't see how Patterson can take the pressure.


And when was the last time Patterson convincingly beat a ranked heavyweight over 200 pounds (and i'm not talking about a fat Ingo), not to mention an all time great like Frazier?

I think this fight would be a rather brutal beat down with Patterson visiting the canvas more than i can count on one hand; a bit like Quarry-Frazier perhaps, with knockdowns even time Frazier lands that hook.

 

I think Patterson is being a bit underrated, here. I agree with most that he'd lose by stoppage, but some people saying that Frazier would crush Patterson are going a bit to far. Patterson would give him a very tough fight while it lasted if he had the right game plan and attitude.