Floyd Patterson in today's heavyweight scene

[Charles White]

How far could a prime Patterson go in today's heavyweight landscape? Would he be too small to compete with the Klitchko's, or could he pull a Chris Byrd on Vitali?

[round15]

How far could a prime Patterson go in today's heavyweight landscape? Would he be too small to compete with the Klitchko's, or could he pull a Chris Byrd on Vitali?


Definitely Floyd would be a contender in heavyweight boxing today. If there's no Sonny Liston character that has him beat before the fight contract is signed, Patterson's fast hands and peak-a-boo style would make him a tough opponent for any heavyweight. Floyd was one of the best pure boxers of all time, pound for pound. Chris Byrd, doesn't belong in the same sentence as Floyd Patterson, yet. Patterson would make the Klitschkos miss and make them pay.

[Charles White]

He did have freakin fast hands.

[Charles White]

At the same time, I would imagine that his size would give him problems with some of todays larger heavies. Talent wise, he beats everybody hands down.

[TommyV]

His fast hands and ability to put combinations together give him a good opportunity, but I feel he's too small compared to today's super-heavies, and his chin would probably let him down.

[mr. magoo]

Pound for pound, Floyd Patterson is a superior fighter to even the best of today's heavyweight talent. Head to head however, his limitations in size and tendency to get dropped by big punchers would keep him out of the heavyweight scene. I'm also not about to go down the path of " well with modern nutrition, training and supplements " either. When I do fantasy scenarios, I prefer to take someone just as they were/are rather than to try and morph them into something that they weren't/aren't...

[Charles White]

Pound for pound, Floyd Patterson is a superior fighter to even the best of today's heavyweight talent. Head to head however, his limitations in size and tendency to get dropped by big punchers would keep him out of the heavyweight scene. I'm also not about to go down the path of " well with modern nutrition, training and supplements " either. When I do fantasy scenarios, I prefer to take someone just as they were/are rather than to try and morph them into something that they weren't/aren't...Just the way I like to keep it as well.

[dezbeast]

Patterson wouldn't stand a chance against the Klitchkos. Though he had more power than Byrd, he was not quite as good defensively. The Klitchkos would no doubt knock him out easily every time. He might make it in the rankings today, but that's about it.

[mr. magoo]

Patterson wouldn't stand a chance against the Klitchkos. Though he had more power than Byrd, he was not quite as good defensively. The Klitchkos would no doubt knock him out easily every time. He might make it in the rankings today, but that's about it.


As much as I hate to say it, I have to agree full heartedly. I will reiterate my position in that pound for pound, Floyd is a better fighter than either Vitali or Wlad, but at some point a man's physical limitations are going to excede his talents. I don't see Paterson lasting past maybe the first few rounds against either Klitscko.

[mcvey]

Definitely Floyd would be a contender in heavyweight boxing today. If there's no Sonny Liston character that has him beat before the fight contract is signed, Patterson's fast hands and peak-a-boo style would make him a tough opponent for any heavyweight. Floyd was one of the best pure boxers of all time, pound for pound. Chris Byrd, doesn't belong in the same sentence as Floyd Patterson, yet. Patterson would make the Klitschkos miss and make them pay.

I like Floyd, after he lost the title he took on just about anyone who wanted to fight him ,but I would not call him "one of the best pure boxers of all time",he was a quick handed swarmer.

[PowerPuncher]

Patterson could easily be a shredded 210lb Holyfield look alike today. He'd beat everyone except perhaps Vitali/Wlad/Haye and he may just beat the lot of them

[djanders]

The version of Floyd from his era would become the undisputed Cruiserweight Champion in modern times...in my opinion. Then, I suspect he would bulk up and become a Heavyweight because of the extra money he could make in that division.

[ChrisPontius]

He'd probably be undisputed lightheavyweight champion. In fact, he is quite similar to Chad Dawson: fast hands and great combinations, good power, but somewhat questionable jaw, and weighing between 180 and 190lbs.

[janitor]

He couldnt fail because if one weight class didnt suit him he could just pick another.

Lightheavyweight and cruiserweight would be options for him as well as heavyweight.

He could probably bulk up to over 200 without sacrificing speed.

[janitor]

I don't see Paterson lasting past maybe the first few rounds against either Klitscko.

Hmmmmmmm

I think Wlad would be well out of his comfort zone with that kind of handspeed coming at him.

It could make his usual jab and grab tactics a bit dicey.

[mr. magoo]

Hmmmmmmm

I think Wlad would be well out of his comfort zone with that kind of handspeed coming at him.

It could make his usual jab and grab tactics a bit dicey.

Could be, but I stand by my statement.

[red cobra]

If he were fighting today I'd be rooting for him like I did back in his day.

[SteveO]

He'd be pretty damn good, I think.

I would say that Vitali would bomb him out eventually, but he could give Wlad a run.

Beat Valuev rather easily.

Chagaev and Peter would lose to Patterson.

Haye...not so sure, yet.

[janitor]

Could be, but I stand by my statement.

The Haye fight might give us a few insights here.

[jowcol]

IMHO this is an example of the problems pitting fighters in different eras against each other.
It would be nice if, as another poster mentioned, you could just take them as they are (were) and compare based on that but you really can't.
The Klitchko comparison?
Lewis?
Tyson??
In many of the youngter's minds on board here all the post-1990 "bad-asses" would wipe the floor with the old guys. Come on!
You're trying to look at an HBO primed Klit boy vs. a small black&white Floyd or Louis or Dempsey..etc...
If they had been born, circa 1910-15, and reached prime 30's-40's you're seeing a different creature.
If Floyd reaches prime in the nineties? Same scenerio...
A 90's Dempsey would be drastically different than the 20's version...
I think Marciano is, perhaps, the best example of this different era comparison.
It goes on and on...
I do think we can bring some comparisons to the table but, the more I think about it, it may well be something that can't really be argued about with any subjectivity...

My $0.02

[jowcol]

I meant "objectivity" in my above post...:oops:

[MrMarvel]

Floyd wouldn't compete at heavyweight today. He would be a top middleweight or light heavyweight, though.

[mr. magoo]

The Haye fight might give us a few insights here.


So am I to understand that if David Haye beats Wladimir Klitschko, your new position will be that every sub 200 Lb man who fought prior to 1960 would have beaten him? ( Not that this would be anything new of course. )

Oh boy, I can see it coming already.

[spittle8]

He was very impressive, and as Janitor said, it could be interesting against Wlad, but if Wlad reverted to his old punching self Floyd would be troubled. He really is kind of small for the division. He'd make a great cruiserweight today, probably dominate the division.

[Bummy Davis]

He may be able to take a title off Valuev...trouble with the Klitschko's but Floyd can be compettive in any era

[MRBILL]

At best, Patterson would be a bulky but strong & solid 200 pounder fighting in today's era..... He could compete today since the era is SO WEAK outside of the "K" brothers.... However, he'd have his hands full with just about anyone in the top-5.... Weak division or not, Patterson struggled with lotsa' average dudes from his own era....... He'd struggle today as well.......... Peace.....

MR.BILL

[ChrisPontius]

So am I to understand that if David Haye beats Wladimir Klitschko, your new position will be that every sub 200 Lb man who fought prior to 1960 would have beaten him? ( Not that this would be anything new of course. )

Oh boy, I can see it coming already.

Yeah, totally ridiculous. Haye is as big as Ali. Patterson never managed to convincingly beat a decently skilled 210lbs man, let alone a skilled 6'6 245lbs one. Wlad would murder him.

[mr. magoo]

Yeah, totally ridiculous. Haye is as big as Ali. Patterson never managed to convincingly beat a decently skilled 210lbs man, let alone a skilled 6'6 245lbs one. Wlad would murder him.


I'm not picking Haye to beat Wlad, but if he does, the posts on this forum will sure be interesting in the months that follow. All of a sudden names like Barbados Joe Walcott will be listed as capable of beating Klitschko.

[ChrisPontius]

I'm not picking Haye to beat Wlad, but if he does, the posts on this forum will sure be interesting in the months that follow. All of a sudden names like Barbados Joe Walcott will be listed as capable of beating Klitschko.

No kidding. :lol: It's funny how guys like Haye and Povetkin are being called "small" while they're as big as or bigger than Ali, but whenever they accomplish something, it somehow proves how a 180lbs'er would've done the same.

[TheGreatA]

I'm not picking Haye to beat Wlad, but if he does, the posts on this forum will sure be interesting in the months that follow. All of a sudden names like Barbados Joe Walcott will be listed as capable of beating Klitschko.

Possibly but I wouldn't find it ridiculous to suggest that Patterson could beat Klitschko if Haye can. In my opinion Haye's chin is every bit as suspect as Patterson's and his combination of speed and power is no greater than Patterson's.

He is bigger than Patterson for sure but Wladimir still makes him look small. No one is going to beat a Klitschko with size.

Right now I wouldn't bet on Patterson's chances against the Klitschko brothers. It would be great to see him fight at super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight though. He could compete as a heavyweight but he would likely come up short against the Klitschko brothers.

Here's part 1 of a video I made about the fastest boxers of all time:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Highlights of Patterson at 3:20

[mcvey]

Possibly but I wouldn't find it ridiculous to suggest that Patterson could beat Klitschko if Haye can. In my opinion Haye's chin is every bit as suspect as Patterson's and his combination of speed and power is no greater than Patterson's.

He is bigger than Patterson for sure but Wladimir still makes him look small. No one is going to beat a Klitschko with size.

Right now I wouldn't bet on Patterson's chances against the Klitschko brothers. It would be great to see him fight at super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight though. He could compete as a heavyweight but he would likely come up short against the Klitschko brothers.

Here's part 1 of a video I made about the fastest boxers of all time:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Highlights of Patterson at 3:20

Good video.#Ali and Robinsons speed was measured by frames per sec,Ali came out on top .Meldrick Taylor and RJ Jnr had very fast hands.

[mr. magoo]

No kidding. :lol: It's funny how guys like Haye and Povetkin are being called "small" while they're as big as or bigger than Ali, but whenever they accomplish something, it somehow proves how a 180lbs'er would've done the same.


Agreed,

Haye is 6'3" and currently weighs 215Lbs. How in the hell someone can equate that to 5'11", 190 is beyond me....

[TheGreatA]

Good video.#Ali and Robinsons speed was measured by frames per sec,Ali came out on top .Meldrick Taylor and RJ Jnr had very fast hands.

I believe Jim Jacobs measured the speed of their jabs and Ali's was faster. Robinson never put everything into his jab though.

Meldrick Taylor and Roy Jones will be included in the next part. Ray Leonard too.

[spittle8]

Possibly but I wouldn't find it ridiculous to suggest that Patterson could beat Klitschko if Haye can. In my opinion Haye's chin is every bit as suspect as Patterson's and his combination of speed and power is no greater than Patterson's.

He is bigger than Patterson for sure but Wladimir still makes him look small. No one is going to beat a Klitschko with size.

Right now I wouldn't bet on Patterson's chances against the Klitschko brothers. It would be great to see him fight at super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight though. He could compete as a heavyweight but he would likely come up short against the Klitschko brothers.

Here's part 1 of a video I made about the fastest boxers of all time:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Highlights of Patterson at 3:20
Uhh.... was the Patterson footage sped up?:shock:

[OBCboxer]

Patterson beats most of the division except the Klitschkos.

[TheGreatA]

Uhh.... was the Patterson footage sped up?:shock:

No. ;)

Here's part 2:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[ChrisPontius]

Robinson never put everything into his jab though.


The jab is a punch you never put "everything" into.

[TheGreatA]

The jab is a punch you never put "everything" into.

Which is why I wouldn't compare the speed of Ali and Robinson based on their jabs.

Overall I'd say that Robinson was faster with his combinations and double/triple left hooks.

[flamengo]

The jab is a punch you never put "everything" into.

The jab is the punch 'you can not put everything into'.

Try put too much into it, you'll fall on your face if it read.

[spittle8]

No. ;)

Here's part 2:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
What an athlete Patterson was, a gentleman as well. Great videos, thanks for sharing man.