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Floyd Patterson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson in January 1962
Born(1935-01-04)January 4, 1935
Waco, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedMay 11, 2006(2006-05-11) (aged 71)
New Paltz, New York, U.S.
Other namesThe Gentleman of Boxing
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[1]
Reach71 in (180 cm)[2][3]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights64
Wins55
Wins by KO40
Losses8
Draws1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1952 Helsinki Middleweight

Floyd Patterson (January 4, 1935 – May 11, 2006) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1952 to 1972, and twice reigned as the world heavyweight champion between 1956 and 1962. At the age of 21, he became the youngest boxer in history to win the title, and was also the first heavyweight to regain the title after losing it. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He has been named among the top 15 heavyweights of all time.[4][5][6]

In 1956 and 1960, Patterson was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Early life

[edit]

Born January 4, 1935,[7] into a poor family in Waco, North Carolina, Patterson was one of eleven children. Savannah Joe Patterson was his first cousin from out of Arkansas, he went and visited during the early summer years. He experienced an insular and troubled childhood. His family moved to Brooklyn, New York, in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant otherwise known as Bed-Stuy. During this time, his parents were working extremely hard to provide for the family. There was eleven children to feed. Patterson felt helpless that he could not help his mother and father more. He felt stupid and powerless.[8] Starting at the age of nine, Floyd became a truant and petty thief. It began with him stealing little things like milk and fruit to bring back to his mother to help. However, as he transitioned into a teenager, he would frequently be seen in court for- stealing, truancy, and running away. He estimated that he had been in court, thirty to forty times. At age 10, a judge was so tired of seeing him in court that he was sent to the Wiltwyck School for Boys, a reform school in Esopus, New York, He was sent off there in September 1945. During this time, he was furious thinking he was being sent to jail until his mother explained the blessing.[9] He credited this to turning his life around. He stayed there for almost two years. He attended high school in New Paltz, New York, where he succeeded in all sports.[10]

Patterson took up boxing at age fourteen, and was training with the Bedford-Stuyvesant Boxing Association Gym.[11] Three years later, he won the gold medal in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics as a middleweight. In 1952, he won the National Amateur Middleweight Championship and New York Golden Gloves Middleweight Championship.[12] At that time he was spotted by Cus D'Amato, and trained at the Gramercy Gym.

Patterson's younger brother Raymond (born 1942) also became a professional heavyweight boxer and has lived in Gothenburg, Sweden, since 1965 and has worked as a truck driver at Volvo Lastvagnar after his boxing career.[13]

Olympic results

[edit]
  • Round of 16: Defeated Omar Tebakka (France) on points, 3–0
  • Quarterfinal: Defeated Leonardus Jansen (Netherlands) by a first-round stoppage
  • Semifinal: Defeated Stig Sjölin (Sweden) by disqualification in the third round
  • Defeated Vasile Tiță (Romania) by a first-round knockout

Patterson's amateur record was 40 wins (37 by knockout) and 4 defeats.

Patterson carried his hands higher than most boxers, in front of his face. Sportswriters called Patterson's style a "peek-a-boo" stance.

Professional career

[edit]

Patterson turned pro and steadily rose through the ranks, his only early defeat being an eight-round decision to former light heavyweight champion Joey Maxim on June 7, 1954, at the Eastern Parkway Arena in Brooklyn, New York.

Championship

[edit]
Patterson in 1957

Although Patterson fought around the light heavyweight limit for much of his early career, he and manager Cus D'Amato always had plans to fight for the Heavyweight Championship. In fact, D'Amato made these plans clear as early as 1954, when he told the press that Patterson was aiming for the heavyweight title.[14] However, after Rocky Marciano announced his retirement as World Heavyweight Champion on April 27, 1956, Patterson was ranked by The Ring magazine as the top light heavyweight contender. After Marciano's announcement, Jim Norris of the International Boxing Club stated that Patterson was one of the six fighters who would take part in an elimination tournament to crown Marciano's successor. The Ring then moved Patterson into the heavyweight rankings, at number five.[15]

Patterson vs. Moore

[edit]

After beating Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson in an elimination fight, Patterson faced Light Heavyweight Champion Archie Moore on November 30, 1956, for the World Heavyweight Championship. He beat Moore by a knockout in five rounds and became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in history, at the age of 21 years, 10 months, 3 weeks and 5 days. He was the first Olympic gold medalist to win a professional heavyweight title.

Ingemar Johansson knocks out Floyd Patterson and becomes boxing heavyweight champion of the world, June 26, 1959.

Patterson vs. Johansson I, II & III

[edit]

After a series of defenses against fringe contenders (Hurricane Jackson, Pete Rademacher, Roy Harris,[16] and Brian London), Patterson met Ingemar Johansson of Sweden, the number one contender, in the first of three fights. Johansson triumphed over Patterson on June 26, 1959, with the referee Ruby Goldstein stopping the fight in the third round after the Swede had knocked Patterson down seven times. Johansson became Sweden's first World Heavyweight Champion, thus becoming a national hero as the first European to defeat an American for the title since 1933.

Patterson knocked out Johansson in the fifth round of their rematch on June 20, 1960, to become the first man in history to regain the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship. Johansson hit the canvas hard, seemingly out before he landed flat on his back. With glazed eyes, blood trickling from his mouth and his left foot quivering, he was counted out. Johansson laying unconscious for five minutes before he was helped onto a stool.

A third fight between them was held on March 13, 1961, and while Johansson put Patterson on the floor, Patterson retained his title by knockout in the sixth round to win the rubber match in which Patterson was decked twice and Johansson once, in the first round. Johansson had landed both right hands over Floyd's left jab. After getting up from the second knockdown, Floyd abandoned his jab and connected with a left hook that knocked down Johansson. After that, Patterson came on with a strong body attack that wore down Johansson. In the sixth round, Johansson caught Patterson with a solid right. But the power in Johansson's punches was gone. Patterson won the fight in the sixth round by knockout.[17]

After the third Johansson fight, Patterson defended the title in Toronto on December 4 against Tom McNeeley and retained the title with a fourth-round knockout.[18][19] However he did not fight number-one contender Sonny Liston. This was due in part to Cus D'Amato, who did not want Patterson in the ring with a boxer with mob connections. As a result, D'Amato turned down any challenges involving the IBC. Eventually, due to a monetary dispute with Jimmy Jacobs, Patterson removed D'Amato from handling his business affairs and agreed to fight Liston.

Patterson vs. Liston I & II

[edit]
Main articles: Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson and Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson II

Leading up to the fight, Liston was the major betting-line favorite, though Sports Illustrated predicted that Patterson would win in 15 rounds. Jim Braddock, Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano and Ingemar Johansson picked Patterson to win. The fight also carried a number of social implications. Liston's connections with the mob were well known and the NAACP was concerned about having to deal with Liston's visibility as World Champion and had encouraged Patterson not to fight Liston, fearing that a Liston victory would tarnish the civil rights movement.[20] Patterson said John F. Kennedy also did not want him to fight Liston.[21]

In David Remnick's book, King of the World, he calls Patterson a "sensitive" champion. Patterson was very open about his fears and feelings going into a fight, which was new behavior in the world of boxing. He was regarded as a very polite, well-mannered, and likeable champion. This contrasted the media's portrayal of Liston, who's mob ties and criminal history made it easy to paint as the villain of the fight. In the media, Patterson was painted as the good guy, and Liston was the antagonist. This rhetoric surrounded the fight, raising the stakes and putting pressure on Patterson to retain his title.[22]

Patterson lost his title to Liston in Chicago on September 25, 1962, by a first-round knockout in front of 18,894 fans. The two fighters were a marked contrast. In the ring, Liston's size and power proved too much for Patterson's guile and agility. However, Patterson did not use his speed to his benefit. According to Sports Illustrated writer Gilbert Rogin, Patterson did not punch enough and frequently tried to clinch with Liston. Liston battered Patterson with body shots and then shortened up and connected with two double hooks high on the head. The result at the time was the third-fastest knockout in boxing history.[23] After being knocked out, Patterson left Comiskey Park in Chicago wearing dark glasses and a fake beard for the drive back to New York. After the fight, questions were raised on whether the fight was fixed to set up a more lucrative rematch. Overnight, Patterson seemed to lose his public support as a result of his swift knockout.[24] Despite the defeat, Patterson received $2 million, to be paid over 17 years.[25]

The rematch was set for April 1963; however, Liston injured his knee swinging a golf club and the fight was delayed three months to July 22. It was the first million-dollar purse with both fighters receiving $1,434,000 each.[26] In Las Vegas that night, Patterson attempted to become the first boxer to win the heavyweight title three times, but Liston once again knocked him out in the first round. Patterson lasted four seconds longer than in the first bout. The Liston fights were the only times Patterson was actually counted out in his 20-year professional career.

After the title

[edit]

Following these defeats, Patterson went through a depression. However, he eventually recovered and began winning fights again, including top victories over Eddie Machen and George Chuvalo; the Chuvalo match won The Ring's "Fight of the Year" award.[27]

Muhammad Ali

[edit]
Main article: Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson

Patterson was now the number-one challenger for the title held by Muhammad Ali. On November 22, 1965, in Las Vegas, in yet another attempt to be the first to win the world heavyweight title three times, he went into the fight with an injured sacro­iliac joint which worsened after the first round and greatly reduced his mobility in a bout in which Ali was clearly dominant.[28][29] Ali called Patterson an "Uncle Tom" for refusing to call him Muhammad Ali (Patterson continued to call him Cassius Clay) and for his outspokenness against black Muslims.[30] Before the match, Patterson had said:

"This fight is a crusade to reclaim the title from the Black Muslims. As a Catholic, I am fighting Clay as a patriotic duty. I am going to return the crown to America."

Ali hit Patterson repeatedly with jabs from the second round until the referee stopped the fight in the 12th round.[31][32] In the post-fight interview, Ali praised Patterson for being able to take punches and said Patterson's age counted against him.

End of career

[edit]

Patterson remained a legitimate contender. In 1966 he traveled to England and knocked out British boxer Henry Cooper in the fourth round at Wembley Stadium.

Patterson tried his hand at acting. He is seen in this 1968 The Wild Wild West episode as a landowner who is in danger of losing his property.[33]

When Ali was stripped of his title for refusing induction into the military, the World Boxing Association staged an eight-man tournament to determine his successor. Patterson fought Jerry Quarry to a draw in 1967. In a rematch four months later, Patterson lost a controversial 12-round decision to Quarry. Subsequently, in a third and final attempt at winning the title a third time, Patterson lost a controversial 15-round referee's decision to Jimmy Ellis in Stockholm, in 1968, despite breaking Ellis's nose and scoring a disputed knockdown.

In September 1969 he divorced his first wife, Sandra Hicks Patterson, who wanted him to quit boxing, while he still had hopes for another title shot.

Patterson continued on, defeating Oscar Bonavena in a close fight over ten rounds in early 1972.

At age 37, Patterson was stopped after seven rounds with a cut eye while still competitive in a rematch with Muhammad Ali for the NABF heavyweight title on September 20, 1972.[34] The defeat proved to be Patterson's last fight, although there was never an announcement of retirement.

Retired life

[edit]

In retirement, he and Ingemar Johansson became good friends who flew across the Atlantic to visit each other every year and he served two terms as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.[35] He was also inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.[36]

Patterson lived in New Paltz, New York, for many years with his second wife, Janet Seaquist.[37] They had two daughters, Jennifer and Janene.[38] In 1982 and 1983 he ran the Stockholm Marathon together with Ingemar Johansson.[39] He completed the 1983 New York City Marathon in 3:35:27.[40]

His adopted son, Tracy Harris Patterson, was a world champion boxer in the 1990s and was trained by Floyd during part of his career. They are the first father and son to win world titles in boxing.[41] Floyd also trained Canadian heavyweight Donovan "Razor" Ruddock in 1992 for his fights with Greg Page, Phil Jackson, and Lennox Lewis.[42]

The New Paltz High School football field was named "Floyd Patterson Field" in 1985.[43]

Death

[edit]
Floyd Patterson's grave

Patterson suffered from Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer in his final years. He died at home in New Paltz, on May 11, 2006, at the age of 71.[44] His body was buried at New Paltz Rural Cemetery in New Paltz, Ulster County, New York.[45][46]

Quotes

[edit]
  • "It's easy to do anything in victory. It's in defeat that a man reveals himself."[47]
  • "They said I was the fighter who got knocked down the most, but I also got up the most."[48] (This quote was used in the tenth episode of the 2009 TV series V.)
  • "When you have millions of dollars, you have millions of friends."[49]
  • On boxing: "It's like being in love with a woman. She can be unfaithful, she can be mean, she can be cruel, but it doesn't matter. If you love her, you want her, even though she can do you all kinds of harm. It's the same with me and boxing. It can do me all kinds of harm but I love it."[50]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
64 fights 55 wins 8 losses
By knockout 40 5
By decision 15 3
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
64 Loss 55–8–1 Muhammad Ali RTD 7 (12), 3:00 Sep 20, 1972 37 years, 260 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. For NABF heavyweight title
63 Win 55–7–1 Pedro Agosto TKO 6 (10), 3:00 Jul 14, 1972 37 years, 192 days Singer Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.
62 Win 54–7–1 Oscar Bonavena UD 10 Feb 11, 1972 37 years, 38 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
61 Win 53–7–1 Charlie Harris KO 6 (10), 2:31 Nov 23, 1971 36 years, 323 days Multnomah County Exposition Center, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
60 Win 52–7–1 Vic Brown UD 10 Aug 21, 1971 36 years, 229 days Peace Bridge Arena, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
59 Win 51–7–1 Charley Polite UD 10 Jul 17, 1971 36 years, 194 days Erie Arena, Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
58 Win 50–7–1 Terry Daniels UD 10 May 26, 1971 36 years, 142 days Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
57 Win 49–7–1 Roger Russell TKO 9 (10), 1:29 Mar 29, 1971 36 years, 84 days Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
56 Win 48–7–1 Levi Forte KO 2 (10), 2:20 Jan 16, 1971 36 years, 12 days Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
55 Win 47–7–1 Charley Green KO 10 (10), 1:15 Sep 15, 1970 35 years, 254 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
54 Loss 46–7–1 Jimmy Ellis PTS 15 Sep 14, 1968 33 years, 254 days Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden For WBA heavyweight title
53 Loss 46–6–1 Jerry Quarry MD 12 Oct 28, 1967 32 years, 297 days Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
52 Draw 46–5–1 Jerry Quarry MD 12 Jun 9, 1967 32 years, 156 days Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
51 Win 46–5 Bill McMurray KO 1 (10), 2:37 Mar 30, 1967 32 years, 85 days Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50 Win 45–5 Willie Johnson KO 3 (10), 2:05 Feb 13, 1967 32 years, 40 days Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
49 Win 44–5 Henry Cooper KO 4 (10), 2:10 Sep 20, 1966 31 years, 259 days Empire Pool, London, England
48 Loss 43–5 Muhammad Ali TKO 12 (15), 2:18 Nov 22, 1965 30 years, 322 days Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. For WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
47 Win 43–4 Tod Herring TKO 3 (10), 0:40 May 14, 1965 30 years, 130 days Johanneshovs Isstadion, Stockholm, Sweden
46 Win 42–4 George Chuvalo UD 12 Feb 1, 1965 30 years, 28 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
45 Win 41–4 Charlie Powell KO 6 (10), 1:21 Dec 12, 1964 29 years, 343 days Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
44 Win 40–4 Eddie Machen PTS 12 Jul 5, 1964 29 years, 183 days Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden
43 Win 39–4 Santo Amonti TKO 8 (10), 2:25 Jan 6, 1964 29 years, 2 days Stockholm, Sweden
42 Loss 38–4 Sonny Liston KO 1 (15), 2:10 Jul 22, 1963 28 years, 199 days Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. For WBA, NYSAC, The Ring, and inaugural WBC heavyweight titles
41 Loss 38–3 Sonny Liston KO 1 (15), 2:06 Sep 25, 1962 27 years, 264 days Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Lost WBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
40 Win 38–2 Tom McNeeley KO 4 (15), 2:51 Dec 4, 1961 26 years, 334 days Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
39 Win 37–2 Ingemar Johansson KO 6 (15), 2:45 Mar 13, 1961 26 years, 68 days Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
38 Win 36–2 Ingemar Johansson KO 5 (15), 1:51 Jun 20, 1960 25 years, 168 days Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S. Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
37 Loss 35–2 Ingemar Johansson TKO 3 (15), 2:03 Jun 26, 1959 24 years, 173 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
36 Win 35–1 Brian London KO 11 (15), 0:51 May 1, 1959 24 years, 117 days Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
35 Win 34–1 Roy Harris RTD 12 (15) Aug 18, 1958 23 years, 226 days Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
34 Win 33–1 Pete Rademacher KO 6 (15), 2:57 Aug 22, 1957 22 years, 230 days Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. Retained NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
33 Win 32–1 Tommy Jackson TKO 10 (15), 1:52 Jul 29, 1957 22 years, 206 days Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
32 Win 31–1 Archie Moore KO 5 (15), 2:27 Nov 30, 1956 21 years, 331 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Won vacant NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
31 Win 30–1 Tommy Jackson SD 12 Jun 8, 1956 21 years, 156 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
30 Win 29–1 Alvin Williams KO 3 (10), 1:58 Apr 10, 1956 21 years, 97 days Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
29 Win 28–1 Jimmy Walls TKO 2 (10), 2:29 Mar 12, 1956 21 years, 68 days New Britain, Connecticut, U.S.
28 Win 27–1 Jimmy Slade TKO 7 (10), 2:05 Dec 8, 1955 20 years, 338 days Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
27 Win 26–1 Calvin Brad KO 1 (10), 2:58 Oct 13, 1955 20 years, 282 days Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
26 Win 25–1 Dave Whitlock KO 3 (10), 0:52 Sep 29, 1955 20 years, 268 days Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
25 Win 24–1 Alvin Williams TKO 8 (10), 2:28 Sep 8, 1955 20 years, 247 days Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
24 Win 23–1 Archie McBride KO 7 (10), 1:46 Jul 6, 1955 20 years, 183 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 Yvon Durelle RTD 5 (10) Jun 23, 1955 20 years, 170 days Newcastle, New Brunswick, Canada
22 Win 21–1 Esau Ferdinand TKO 10 (10), 2:49 Mar 17, 1955 20 years, 72 days Civic Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
21 Win 20–1 Don Grant TKO 5 (10), 1:13 Jan 17, 1955 20 years, 13 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 19–1 Willie Troy TKO 5 (8) Jan 7, 1955 20 years, 3 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
19 Win 18–1 Jimmy Slade UD 8 Nov 19, 1954 19 years, 319 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
18 Win 17–1 Joe Gannon UD 8 Oct 22, 1954 19 years, 291 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 Esau Ferdinand UD 8 Oct 11, 1954 19 years, 280 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 Tommy Harrison TKO 1 (8), 1:29 Aug 2, 1954 19 years, 210 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 Jacques Royer Crecy TKO 7 (8) Jul 12, 1954 19 years, 189 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Loss 13–1 Joey Maxim UD 8 Jun 7, 1954 19 years, 154 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Jesse Turner UD 8 May 10, 1954 19 years, 126 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Alvin Williams UD 8 Apr 19, 1954 19 years, 105 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Sammy Brown TKO 2 (10), 1:40 Mar 30, 1954 19 years, 85 days Turner's Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Yvon Durelle UD 8 Feb 15, 1954 19 years, 42 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Dick Wagner TKO 5 (8), 2:29 Dec 14, 1953 18 years, 344 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Wes Bascom UD 8 Oct 19, 1953 18 years, 288 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Gordon Wallace TKO 3 (8), 0:52 Jun 1, 1953 18 years, 148 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Dick Wagner SD 8 Apr 13, 1953 18 years, 99 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Chester Mieszala TKO 5 (6), 1:25 Jan 28, 1953 18 years, 24 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Lalu Sabotin TKO 5 (8), 1:30 Dec 29, 1952 17 years, 360 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Lester Johnson TKO 3 (6), 1:26 Oct 31, 1952 17 years, 301 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Sammy Walker TKO 2 (6), 0:47 Oct 6, 1952 17 years, 276 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Eddie Godbold KO 4 (6), 1:39 Sep 12, 1952 17 years, 252 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Floyd Patterson". BoxRec. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "The tale of the tape offers a physical comparison between challenger". 9 March 2016.
  3. ^ 03/03/1961-New York: The tale of the tape offers a physical comparison between challenger Ingemar Johansson (left) and heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson (right). They meet for the third time for the heavyweight title in Miami, Florida, on March 13th.
  4. ^ Fischer, Doug (2016-02-10). "Bill Caplan's 20 greatest heavyweights". The Ring. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  5. ^ "Boxing Rankings - Top 500 All-Time Heavyweights". SportsRatings: Boxing/MMA. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  6. ^ "The Best Heavyweight Boxers of All Time". Ranker. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  7. ^ "UPI Almanac for Friday, Jan. 4, 2019". United Press International. January 4, 2019. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019. former heavyweight boxing champion Floyd Patterson in 1935
  8. ^ Remnick, David (October 5, 1999). King Of The World. Vintage Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-0375702297.
  9. ^ Remnick, David (October 5, 1999). King Of The World. Vintage Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-0375702297.
  10. ^ Springer, Steve (February 5, 1987). "Ex-Boxing Champion Floyd Patterson Saves a Lad, Gains a Son : Youngster Escapes a Bleak Past". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  11. ^ Big Apple rates edge vs. Chicago, By Tom Hanrahan, Daily News, New York, April 24, 1981, p. 46.
  12. ^ Litsky, Frank (May 11, 2006). "Floyd Patterson, Boxing Champion, Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  13. ^ Abrahamsson, Hans (12 May 2006). "Brodern Raymond: Jag vill komma ihåg honom som han var" [Brother Raymond: I want to remember him as he was]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  14. ^ Weston, Stanley, ed. (1996). The Best of the Ring. Chicago: Bonus Books. p. 183. ISBN 1-56625-056-0.
  15. ^ Daniel, Dan (August 2005). ""I Won't Be Back," Says Marciano". The Ring. 84 (8): 90–91.
  16. ^ "Tale of the tape". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. August 18, 1958. p. 15.
  17. ^ "The 10 Greatest Heavyweight Fights of All Time, Floyd Patterson vs. Ingemar Johansson 3". boxingmemories.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  18. ^ "Patterson defends his title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 4, 1961. p. 6.
  19. ^ "Patterson knocks out dead-game McNeeley in fourth". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 5, 1961. p. 8.
  20. ^ "Esquire covers commemorate boxing's prime". ESPN.com. May 8, 2008.
  21. ^ "Ex-Champ Floyd Patterson Dies At 71". CBS News. May 11, 2006.
  22. ^ Remnick, David (1998). King of the world: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero. New York: Random House. pp. 3–25. ISBN 0-375-70229-6.
  23. ^ Gregory, Sam. "Sonny Liston: The Facts". thesweetscience.com
  24. ^ Rogin, Gilbert (October 8, 1962) "The Facts About The Big Fight" Archived 2010-11-23 at the Wayback Machine. sportsillustrated.cnn.com
  25. ^ Arneel, Gene (September 26, 1962). "Patterson's $2-Mil. 'One-Night-Stand'". Variety. p. 1. Retrieved May 3, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  26. ^ Morrison, Ian (1990). The Guiness World Championship Boxing Book. Guiness Publishing Limited. p. 151. ISBN 0-85112-900-5. Retrieved May 3, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  27. ^ "On This Day: Floyd Patterson and George Chuvalo clash in unforgettable non-title fight". Boxing News. February 1, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  28. ^ Johnson, Chuck (2006-05-11). "Ex-heavyweight boxer Floyd Patterson, 71, dies". USA Today. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  29. ^ Decker, Bill (23 November 1965). "Patterson Refuses to Use Back Spasm as Alibi in Game but Losing Fight; INJURY IS EVIDENT IN FOURTH ROUND". The New York Times.
  30. ^ Hauser, Thomas (November 2, 2003) Ali: The Legacy. The Guardian
  31. ^ Schwartz, Larry A Great Champion. ESPN.com.
  32. ^ Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson. Boxrec
  33. ^ ""The Wild Wild West" The Night of the Juggernaut". IMDb. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  34. ^ Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson (2nd meeting). Boxrec
  35. ^ Lewis, Mike (May 11, 2006). "Obituary: Floyd Patterson". The Guardian. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  36. ^ Mitch Abramson (April 16, 2014). "Daily News Golden Gloves Hall of Fame: Floyd Patterson". Daily News (New York).
  37. ^ Stratton, W. K. (2012). Floyd Patterson : the fighting life of boxing's invisible champion. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-15-101430-9. OCLC 666239937.
  38. ^ "What ever happened to Floyd Patterson?". Ebony: 44–50. November 1977.
  39. ^ "Klassiskt lopp med Floyd och Ingo" (in Swedish). Stockholm Marathon. October 30, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  40. ^ "Floyd Patterson: 1983 New York City Marathon Results and Info". results.nyrr.org. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
  41. ^ "Patterson Wins Title With Knockout". Los Angeles Times. June 24, 1992. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  42. ^ Leahy, Michael (June 1, 1992) Floyd Patterson: His Own Man. sportsillustrated.cnn.com
  43. ^ "Floyd Patterson Ballfields Highlights". NYC Parks. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  44. ^ Holley, Joe (12 May 2006). "Floyd Patterson; Heavyweight Champion Rose from Poverty". Washington Post. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  45. ^ Levym Alan H. (22 September 2008). Floyd Patterson: A Boxer and a Gentleman. McFarland. pp. 263–. ISBN 978-0-7864-3950-8.
  46. ^ Floyd Patterson. IMDb
  47. ^ Talese, Gay (2009). The Gay Talese Reader: Portraits and Encounters. New York: Bloomsbury USA. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-8027-7675-4.
  48. ^ Dahlberg, Tim (2006-05-11). "Former Boxer Floyd Patterson Dies at 71". Washington Post.[dead link‍]
  49. ^ Celestial Timepiece – A Joyce Carol Oates Patchwork. Jco.usfca.edu. Retrieved on 2016-09-30.
  50. ^ Cosell, Howard (1973). COSELL. Playboy Press. p. 167. ISBN 119931000X.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Thomas Nelson 		U.S. middleweight champion
1952 		Next:
Bryant Thompson
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Rocky Marciano 		NYSAC heavyweight champion
November 30, 1956 – June 26, 1959 		Succeeded by
NBA heavyweight champion
November 30, 1956 – June 26, 1959
The Ring heavyweight champion
November 30, 1956 – June 26, 1959
Undisputed heavyweight champion
November 30, 1956 – June 26, 1959
Preceded by
Ingemar Johansson
 NSYAC heavyweight champion
June 20, 1960 – September 25, 1962 		Succeeded by
WBA heavyweight champion
June 20, 1960 – September 25, 1962
The Ring heavyweight champion
June 20, 1960 – September 25, 1962
Undisputed heavyweight champion
June 20, 1960 – September 25, 1962
Records
Previous:
Joe Louis 		Youngest world heavyweight champion
November 30, 1956 – November 22, 1986 		Next:
Mike Tyson
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