Primes: Evander Holyfield vs. Floyd Patterson

Patterson was just so dam underpowered even by Holyfield standards. Id pick Holy

 

Holy standards?

I actually feel Holyfield, whilst not a natural banger, was a dangerous puncher to his blinding accuracy, speed, combinations and counter punching ability.

Patterson will get blasted out in a round or two. He doesn't have any massive advantages here, and with Holys beard he's gonna go straight through Floyd (who I actually really like)

I just feel Holy is a bad styles matchup for him. He throw a lovely right hand, has a nice jab himself, and is very strong.

Maybe Patterson vs Cruiser Holy would be more competitive, but I consider Holyfield a top ten Heavy with a very strong skillset. I can imagine big guys with good jabs being the blueprint to really cause him fits, but even then he's got the chin, heart, resilience, and athletic ability to spring some 'upsets' there.

Fair play for the thread though, if something can give another insight and spark some debate I'd be more than happy to continue, two fighters I really like (Holy being one my alltime favourites)

 

You think?

Why a horrible fight? And why no stoppage? I feel Holy has the power/ability to stop Patterson.

 

why a horrible fight :huh

 

I don't think it would be that competitive, but thats also why I can't see it going to the cards.

But McGrain is either A) having a laugh B) has his reasons.

The latter option I'd be very interested to hear :good

 

I think Holyfield was way too accustomed to banging with much bigger men, while Patterson was decked far too frequently by lesser fighters. I'm going with Evander by a mid to late round stoppage.

 

Your right, but I was referring to his natural power which was exposed in a few fights when he couldnt accurately land. I do agree he was one of the most accurate punchers but he wasnt a big power puncher. I also believe he would stop Patterson fairly easily.

 

Fair enough.

Agreed on that but A) is Patterson tries to bang in his left hook from his range I can see Holy having the nuance to 1. block it 2. start initiating some sharp counter punches.

If Floyd lands, gets in close and starts banging away I can see Holy, not at a speed deficiency IMO, the way he could plant his feet and still throw fast shots shows just how fast he was IMO, but my only worry for him is that he seems to perform better against bigger opponents (as a heavy) but he showed enough in fighting a much smaller opponent in Qawi that he can 'punch down'

Holy was strong and capable on the inside himself. I can envision him pushing Floyd back to make a bit of punching room, staggering him with a hook and going off on one of his uppercut-filled rampages.

And as much as I like Patterson, I can't see him surviving that.

I just don't see Patterson having any major advantages here. feel free to tell me why I'm wrong, I learn :good

 

I bumped into Floyd Patterson when he was over here with Razor Ruddock when he was facing Lewis. I was staggerd by how small Floyd was, ok he was old, but he was short and small framed. Not relevant to this debate just an observation.

Holyfield would overwhelm Patterson.

 

Neither.

I just think he will land frequently enough, with an aggressive AND athletic style that Patterson has little chance of A-Outboxing him B-Outfighting him C-Sparking him.

As I said, feel free to disagree, add, I'm interested. Personally don't see Patterson winning, that's all, even taking into account my own appreciation of Holy :good

 

Not necessarily..

I think there is a big difference between scoring a first round knockout and forcing a mid to late round stoppage. Ingemar was not exactly a banger on the level of Liston and nor was he even remotely the technical boxer that Ali was, yet he got Patterson out of there early, plus decked him a few times in their future meatings. A similar case can be made for some of the men who had Patterson floored as well. Evander was strong on the inside, could wear a man down in the clinches and even demonstrated knockout power at various times in his career.. He was also displaying these things against fighters who stood anywhere from 6'2" to 6'5" and weighing well into the 215-240 range..