Is there any fighter with more class in boxing history than Floyd Paterson?

[rightsideup]

your thoughts

[Scott9945]

Patterson was a classy and likeable guy who always conducted himself with dignity. But if we're being honest, his heavyweight title reign was crap. You can blame D'Amato if you want, but Floyd avoided top black heavyweight contenders like Machen, Williams, Folley, and (for as long as possible) Liston.

[KidKwik]

Nah man. I love Floyd man, don't give what anyone says he was a great fighter, champ, and a great guy outside the ring. He probably would've had a better legacy if he stayed down at light heavy though. I think so at least

[Panamaniac]

If there's anyone in BH with more class, certainly not in the modern era (was 'Gentleman' Jim Corbett so called because he was "classy?"). Alexis Arguello always struck me as a classy fellow - not more than Floyd, mind you - but in his own right, although I can't think of any particular instance to hang my hat on.

Patterson's demeanor was more suitable for a sport like Tennis or Golf, however, which could explain his level of success or lack thereof. He was way too "nice" for a brutal sport like boxing ("nice guys finish last"). The better fighters throughout BH have been driven by an adrenaline rush that made them "edgy" rather than classy.

[young_robbed]

Patterson was a classy and likeable guy who always conducted himself with dignity. But if we're being honest, his heavyweight title reign was crap. You can blame D'Amato if you want, but Floyd avoided top black heavyweight contenders like Machen, Williams, Folley, and (for as long as possible) Liston.

Hey, for me, Floyd would have blown through guys like Machen, Williams and Folley. He still has tons of quality wins to his resume to be fair; Chuvalo, Bonavena, Ellis, Quarry, Cooper, Johannson, Quarry (imo), and Machen himself. I feel like he has a real respectable resume for someone so undersized.

[BlueBaureit99]

Gene Tunney was known to be a classy person inside and outside of the ring. And so are both Klitschkos, Micky Ward can be mentioned.
Emile Griffith was so beloved that they put a sign on the gym which said "nobody but Emile (can enter this gym)".
Max Schmeling was also very classy, he even saved the life of 2 ***ish people during the "Reichskristallnacht", risking his own life.

[rightsideup]

If there's anyone in BH with more class, certainly not in the modern era (was 'Gentleman' Jim Corbett so called because he was "classy?"). Alexis Arguello always struck me as a classy fellow - not more than Floyd, mind you - but in his own right, although I can't think of any particular instance to hang my hat on.

Patterson's demeanor was more suitable for a sport like Tennis or Golf, however, which could explain his level of success or lack thereof. He was way too "nice" for a brutal sport like boxing ("nice guys finish last"). The better fighters throughout BH have been driven by an adrenaline rush that made them "edgy" rather than classy.

I think Alexis Arguello is an excellent example of class. I remember when he knocked out Ray Mancini
and after the fight he congradulated Ray for his effort and encouraged him to keep fighting to win the title that his father did not.

[Scott9945]

Hey, for me, Floyd would have blown through guys like Machen, Williams and Folley. He still has tons of quality wins to his resume to be fair; Chuvalo, Bonavena, Ellis, Quarry, Cooper, Johannson, Quarry (imo), and Machen himself. I feel like he has a real respectable resume for someone so undersized.

Floyd actually does have a very nice post championship resume. But even if you think that he would have won as easily as you say, he still defended his title against clearly inferior talent. He literally had to be shamed into fighting Liston.

[LoadedWraps]

Class is subjective. I don't understand the question.

[mickey malone]

It would'nt be right to say anyone had displayed more class than FP, but there has been plenty of gentleman fighters, with old school values, that have graced our sport over the years..
Max Schmeling in particular, took care of everything for Joe Louis until he died, and even paid for his funeral.. Now that's classy.