Michael Spinks vs Floyd Patterson

You and the Missus are certainly welcome here jowcol...I look forward to it!

 

Not really John, so many posters seem prone to positioning a 'what if' fight with Patterson at 175. He was never 175 except for his first few teenage fights after the Olympic Gold in '52. He simply grew out of that weight and wasn't going back to it; couldn't....

 

That's actually a long way from being correct.

Floyd fought his first 3 years mostly under 175. He was almost 21 when he left 175.
Up to 2 1/2 years in he had 4 fights in a row under 170.
He was a full 26 fights into his career when he last hit 175.
He actually hit 178 a full 3 years in.
He fought his World Heavyweight title eliminator at 178.
After this he was 180 and up.

Cus said his plan was to go to Heavyweight well before the move actually happened. Patterson was the Ring's number 1 light heavyweight contender and some thought he beat Maxim.

This is all a lot more pedigree than "a few teenage fights".

While still campaining at 175 Patterson was actually chosen for the elimination tournament for Rocky's vacated Heavyweight strap and this is when the campain moved strictly to heavyweight. Would Patterson have definitely grown out of 175? Maybe, maybe not tho he would have moved up via their plan. We have to remember the average heavyweight was smaller then so it was easier for smaller guys to get in there and compete and indeed win.

Patterson is probably more of a light heavyweight than Spinks is a Heavyweight obviously. 175 was his (Spinks) natural weight.

I mentioned him fighting Spinks at 175 as Patterson did actually have quite a bit of pedigree there. I have no doubt he could have made 175 at the time he won the Heavyweight title off Moore which would make him one heckuva Light Heavyweight.

 

I'll take spinks on a ud or late stoppage.
Pattersons back may go out from all the jabs he would eat.