BoxRec

This fight almost happened in 1959. Robinson went into negotiations with Patterson's people. The idea was for it to happen after Patterson defended his title against Ingemar Johansson. Of course, we all know about that upset, and by the time Patterson was free from rematch clauses and available for fighting other opponents in 1961, Sugar Ray had slipped too much and the fight was past it's sell by date.

The questions remains though, how would this fight play out? Robinson obviously was looking to Patterson's weakness in the Joey Maxim fight, a fighter Robinson was easily outboxing until he collapsed from heat exhaustion (or was it because of over-vaselined legs )

Anyway, as much a better fighter he was than Patterson, I believe Ray would have been too far past his prime for this one. Certainly he'd recently put on a brilliant performance against Carmen Basilio, but were talking a huge difference in size and power between those two.
I believe Patterson would stop Robinson in this one.

Any opinions on this, people?

-KOKid-

Patterson too big, too strong and at that point in Robinson's career...too fast!

Even if they had met at an earlier time, I'd still go with Patterson.

Rubio MHS wrote:robinson shits all over patterson.

would u like to explain how robinson would do this considering he would being giving up two full weight classes in size and thats a big advantage to give up considering robinsons a middleweight.


Patterson KO 7 Robinson

patterson was a very good fighter in 59.robinson was past his best.patterson was heavier and hit hard.floyd in five.can't see how a prime robinson could win either.