How would Floyd of done had he given Eddie Machen and Zora Folley the title shots they deserved? Patterson did beat Machen in 64, but Machen was a bit past it at this point. Especially considering he was battling heavily with depression shortly before this fight. They're a considerable step up from the guys he defended against up to Liston (With the exception of Ingo) They were the top contenders along with Sonny/Ingo during Patterson's reign, there isn't much of an outcry about this today though, they've both become under rated and a bit forgotten imo. Folley had a beautiful jab and was as textbook perfect as they come, and Machen showed his mettle in giving Liston one of his toughest fights. Let's say Patterson fights Folley in 1960 following Folleys win over Machen and fights Machen following Machen's win over an unbeaten Doug Jones at the end of 1961. These fights would of really helped Floyd's ranking/legacy assuming he won as well as given Machen and Folley the credit they deserve. How do you see these fights going?
hmm tough one. patterson beats machen 7 or 8 out of 10 but against folley it would 5 out of 10 i think. folley was a real good fighter
I think Machen was better than Folley, even though he was 0-1-1 with Zora, and I believe that he would have given Ali a better fight and wouyld have survived to 15 with Ali, though losing.
I agree it would have raised Floyd's profile in retrospect ,though I think he would have beaten them both. He did of course, beat Machen comfortably when they did meet. Machen never seemed quite the same after the blow-out by Ingo. Folley was indeed a clever boxer but, like Patterson susceptible to a puncher & was dropped by the likes of Wayne Bethea, stopped by Young Jack Johnston & Doug Jones & outpointed by Cooper. An analysis of common opponents indicates Patterson has the best resume.
Well it's worth saying that Folley was past it when he got his overdue title shot against Ali. Even so, the fight was about even going into the 7th round, not bad at all considering he was in against the consensus #1 HW of all time. The thing that impresses me with Zora is not only his jab, but the way he mixes it up. The jab to the body is a very good tool and one that is all but forgotten by HW's today, and Zora jabbed to the body with precision as well as using his jab to set up his sneaky right hand. Machen likely would of went the distance with Ali, though I agree. He had a better chin than Folley and better survival tactics.
Machen's smart, gutsy effort against Liston..a loss mind you, is the thing that impresses me about him more than anything. I compare it with Folley's getting crushed by Liston...I suppose thats not always fair or an accurate basis of comparison, but it's my gut feeling about Machen...I just admire the hell out of him for the way he fought Liston in '60.
I too admire Machen for the Liston fight, Liston was at his best and Machen gave him a tough fight. Folley didn't have great durability, and against a rampaging Sonny Liston it's hard to do much when you have that problem, can't hold that performance against him too much... I'd like to see the Machen that fought Liston against Patterson, would be a good fight.
