Patterson won the title because nobody was around and ducked fighters like zora folley clevland williams?

Question

nino valdez eddie machen sonny liston

Answer 1

Floyd Patterson, one of my favorite fighters of all time, and did "duck" some formidable fighters, but I don't really think he can be blamed for Cus D'Amato's paranoia.  Cus hand-picked opponents for his "golden child", just like managers do for their fighters today.  (Uh. . .Oscar is fighting Steve Forbes in a few days. . . .please!)  

To Patterson's credit, Cus told him NOT to fight Liston, but Floyd told him to take a hike.  It was not to be, though, and Floyd was knocked out twice in a round each time.  It figures, that the one time Cus was right, Floyd gets pounded.  

I think Floyd would have outhustled Zora Folley. . . not sure about Cleveland Williams.  Williams had a killer reach and awesome jab; Patterson might have had a problem there getting on the inside.  Also, Ernie Terrell might have given Floyd some fits if they'd have ever fought.  Ali called Floyd the "best pure boxer" he ever fought.  Coming from a source like that. . . it only goes to show how good he really was.  Don't believe him?  Just ask guys like Moore, Chuvalo, Cooper, Machen, INGO, and Ellis (Even Jimmy Ellis knows he was given a GIFT of a decision against Floyd!)

Answer 2

Patterson was an excellent boxer and won elimination bouts against Tommy"The Animal" "Hurricane" Jackson and Archie Moore.

To the contrary, many feel Marciano, possibly afraid of Liston,  was also worried about his ability to beat a quick handed fighter like Patterson, as Rocky was feeling his age, and so retired. On the other hand, you're right. Patterson was not the best heavyweight to win the belt. He froze 100% against Liston-twice!!! He seemed to lack the necessary "brute" factor that usually helps a boxer stay on top. Yet, though small, and a bit too reflective for a pug, he had a tremendous left hook. He blasted out Johansson to win the world heavyweight title, youngest at the time-21-, with a wicked shot. Ingmar smacked on the canvass and went into a grand Mal seizure. Patterson was horrified. His concern shows in tapes of that historic fight, peering into the Swede's face and almost praying. Floyd was never the same. And he could never let his left hook fly with abandon after that. Yet as a man, he was everything you'd want to me. A great addition to the sport of boxing. He died too young, suffering Alzheimer's.

Answer 3

Patterson fought and won an elimination bout to get to Archie Moore, no slouch. He beat Moore (KO 5) to become world heavyweight champ.

He had 2 opportunities to duck Liston but failed in both attempst (KO 1 and KO 1).

Patterson did take 2 of 3 from Ingemar Johansson, KO'd Henry Cooper, and yes, he did defeat Eddie Machen.

Answer 4

YESSIR

Answer 5

True. Patterson also avoided Marciano like the plague earlier. Who would blame him?