Patterson would have stayed at lightheavyweight throughout 1956 had Rocky remained active. Archie Moore was both the LH champion and #1 heavyweight contender so Floyd wound up beating the same guy for the HW title that he would have fought for the LH title and that is the only reason it went that way. Having said that Floyd was always good enough to become the Worlds best heavyweight. He had the talent and temperament, proving it against ingo in their return. I just think there is a good reason Cus did not launch Floyd at HW until Rocco was safely out of the way.
this is from one of my own newspaper clippings here.....hopefully you can read it ok....titled "now let me rock rocky" from 1956 when patterson had just won the title... http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/dougm1970/20150102_193252_zpss2yai4ul.jpg
One of those Heavyweight Fantasy Fights that could prove very interesting. Patterson took care of The Mongoose far easier than The Rock did. Floyd has some speed to go along with that dangerous left hook.
I really don't think Floyd Patterson was ready for Marciano in 1956. he was 21 years old, not fully filled out, and its been mentioned that Cus D'Amato wasn't thrilled about putting him in the ring with Rock just yet. Probably would have been a good fight as Floyd did have speed and natural talent coupled with Marciano beginning to take a step back.. But I think a stoppage win for Rocky would have been in the cards at some point sooner or later.
Marciano by the middle rounds. I believe the Rock would have been up for this fight, and his style is just bad for Floyd. In 1956 he still would have enough left to handle Patterson.
Bad style for Floyd who I knew,Floyd was one of the nicest people I met, he said he had a lot of respect for Marciano and said that Rocky could have beaten anyone of the ATG
I'd give Floyd a chance; there's a reason Rock hung 'em up when he did. Rock may well have won this one at that stage but "KO"?? No way. Here's something to consider. When did Floyd ever look as worse as Lennox Lewis in his two losses? If his 'china chin' was SO bad why didn't we ever see him on his face/back with the ref counting 8-9-10 'yer out?