Thread: 1957 Heavyweight Rankings ~ 'What They Said About The Fighters'

~ 1957 Heavyweight Rankings ~

*** Floyd Patterson
#1- Tommy 'Hurricane' Jackson
#2- Archie Moore
#3- Harold Carter
#4- Willie Pastrano
#5- Eddie Machen
#6- Bob Satterfield
#7- Ingemar Johansson
#8- Bob Baker
#9- Zora Folley
#10- Wayne Bethea

Floyd Patterson
Age ........ 22 years, 0 months
Height .... 6' 0"
Reach ..... 71"
Weight .... 182 lbs.
Record .... 31-1-0 {22 KO's}

Manager ..... Cus D'Amato
Trainers ...... Dan and Nick Florio

Floyd Patterson had scored '2' big wins in 1956.
* June 8, 1956 ............ W Split-Dec 12 ....... Tommy 'Hurricane' Jackson .... Heavyweight Elimination Bout
* November 30, 1956 ....KO 5 ..................... Archie Moore ........................ Heavyweight Championship

While the fast-handed and quick-moving Floyd Patterson was the World Champion, most of the 'Boxing Pundits'
stated that Floyd would 'crash', as soon as he came up against a 'true' hard hitting Heavyweight.

The over-blown Light-Heavyweight with Middleweight-speed was the 'best' of a completely mediocre bunch.

Not many believed in Floyd, as they questioned his size {6' 0" and 182 lbs.}, and whether he really could
be a quality Heavyweight.

Some even stated, that as soon as Floyd loses, he will drop back down to {175 lbs.} and compete where
he really belongs.

~ The Farcical Heavyweight Champion ~

This 'farce' will be short-lived. Though Floyd Patterson defeated Archie Moore for the Heavyweight Championship,
does anybody really believe that Floyd Patterson is a 'true' Heavyweight. Floyd is a good fighter who just happens
to be in the right place at the right time.

With Floyd, we are stuck with the only running vehicle in a 'junkyard', that is filled with worn out clunkers, wobbly
wheel sedans, slow-running chuggers, and beat-up coupes.

~ January 1957 ~

Floyd Patterson >

"There are a lot of good young fighters in the Heavyweight Division. Tommy 'Hurricane' Jackson,
Harold Carter, Eddie Machen and Zora Folley."

"And Archie Moore is still a force. He said he had a bad night when we fought, and he asked
for a rematch. So I may give him one at the end of the year, if he scores a good win between
now September."

"As for me, I can only get better. With each training session I feel stronger."

Cus D'Amato >

"Floyd is the World Champion. He will prove his worth, and he will take on all comer's. We
probably will make our 1st-Defense against Tommy Jackson. He took Floyd 12-Rounds,
and gave us a real good fight."

"After that, we may fight Archie Moore again. That would be a good money fight."

Rocky the Beast Marciano would knock out every one of those Fighters on the 1957

Originally Posted by brocktonblockbust

Rocky the Beast Marciano would knock out every one of those Fighters on the 1957

IF in 1957 >

He didn't have a 'bad back'.

The lower-back was causing major problems for Rocky. He could not work out hard,
or run for long-spells without suffering from spasms.

And his now lack-of-mobility {bending-low} forced him to stay upright, which was not good defensively.

But, his punches still felt like a 'Zebra Kick'.

Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom

Originally Posted by brocktonblockbust

Rocky the Beast Marciano would knock out every one of those Fighters on the 1957

IF in 1957 >

He didn't have a 'bad back'.

The lower-back was causing major problems for Rocky. He could not work out hard,
or run for long-spells without suffering from spasms.

And his now lack-of-mobility {bending-low} forced him to stay upright, which was not good defensively.

But, his punches still felt like a 'Zebra Kick'.

March 1, 1957

Joe Louis >

I feel that Rocky Marciano would beat Floyd Patterson right now. I'm going to encourage Rocky
to return to the Ring, where he would be the first fighter to recapture the Heavyweight Championship.

Rocky would be too strong for Patterson. Rocky hurt you with every punch he threw. I would say he
would need about 3-Months to get ready. They could do it in June.

I don't think that Patterson would get by the 6th Round.

Tommy 'Hurricane' Jackson

Age .......... 25 years, 5 months
Height ...... 6' 2"
Reach ...... 80"
Weight ..... 194 lbs.
Record ..... 29-4-1 {13 KO's}
Rank ........ #1

Trainer ..... Whitey Bimstein
Manager ... Lippy Briebart

A tall-and-lanky fighter, who's best attributes were his unorthodox style, and incredible stamina.

Far from a skilled boxer and good puncher, Tommy was more of a busy 'slap-punching' fighter
who was relentless in his attack. Tommy mainly used a 'pawing' left-hand, and fast slapping
right-hands to the head.

He was 'brave', as he was willing to mix-it-up with anybody.

Tommy was also called 'The Flailing Windmill', as his punches kept coming like a 'windmill fan'.

In 1955 and early-1956 > Tommy went 8-1-0 in '9-Bouts', losing only a {L Split Dec 10} to 'spoiler'
Jimmy Slade on October 28, 1955.

Tommy had quality wins over >
* Archie McBride
* Jimmy Slade
* Rex Layne
* Ezzard Charles {twice}
* Bob Baker
* Johnny Williams

These wins earned Tommy a 'slot' in the Heavyweight Championship Eliminator.

On June 8, 1956 > Tommy lost a {Split Dec 12} to Floyd Patterson in a Heavyweight Eliminator.

Since that loss, Tommy has scored wins over >
* September 26, 1956 ...... {W Split Dec 12} Bob Baker ........ 'Heavyweight Eliminator'
* December 27, 1956 ....... {W Dec 10} Julio Mederos