Both flawed fighters. Both vulnerable. Both with plenty of power. Both capable of blowing the other guy out. Who wins?
Shavers. Patterson was vastly more skillful, it's not even a contest. He was thrice as fast, his technique was pristine, he was excellent defensively, had fast hands and good pop. However, his chin was a major, major liability against a puncher like this. It is POSSIBLE that Floyd catches Shavers right out of the gate and finishes him. More likely to me, however, is that Patterson lands some shots right away, wobbles the fuck out of Shavers and then in the middle of lighting him up is hit by a desperation right hand that leaves him looking at a guy yelling "TEN!" at him, ala Jimmy Ellis versus Shavers
Yeah, I think Shavers was just a little bit more durable. Shavers has some shocking losses on his ledger, notably to Quarry, who needed two bites to beat Patterson, but by and large, Shavers durability is just that bit more than Pattersons.
i think patterson became underrated.. i think he outboxes shavers and has him opening up a barber shop in ohio.. called "Shaves by Shavers"
In this fight, the guy is yelling "NINETY NINE...ONE HUNDRED!" Patterson was, without a doubt, the better all around fighter, but his chin vs Shavers' power is a gruesome KO waiting to happen. And we probably wouldn't have to wait too long.