Floyd Patterson

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Floyd Patterson

Statistics
Real name Floyd Patterson
Nickname(s) The Gentleman of Boxing
Rated at Light heavyweight
Heavyweight
Nationality USA
Birth date January 4, 1935(1935-01-04)
Birth place Waco, North Carolina, U.S.
Death date May 11, 2006 (aged 71)
Death place New Paltz, New York, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 64
Wins 55
Wins by KO 40
Losses 8
Draws 1
No contests 0

Floyd Patterson (January 4, 1935 – May 11, 2006 in Waco, North Carolina) was an American 2-time world heavyweight boxing champion. At 21, Patterson was then the youngest man to win the world heavyweight championship and, later, the first to regain it. He had a record of 55 wins 8 losses and 1 draw, with 40 wins by knockout.

Contents

[edit] Childhood and amateur career

Born into a poor family in Waco, North Carolina, Patterson was the youngest of eleven children and experienced an insular and troubled childhood. His family moved to Brooklyn, New York, where Floyd was a truant and petty thief. At age ten, he was sent to the Wiltwyck School for Boys, a reform school in upstate New York, which he credited with turning his life around. He stayed there for almost 2 years.

At age fourteen he started to box, trained by Cus D'Amato at his Gramercy Gym. Aged just 17, Patterson won the Gold medal in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics as a middleweight. 1952 turned out to be a good year for the young Patterson; in addition to Olympic gold Patterson won the National Amateur Middleweight Championship and New York Golden Gloves Middleweight championship.

By the 1950s, Patterson was a resident of Rockville Centre, New York.[1]

[edit] Olympic Results

Olympic medal record
Men's Boxing
Competitor for  United States
Gold 1952 Helsinki Middleweight

Patterson's amateur record over 44 fights was 40-4, with 37 knockouts.

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

[edit] Early Pro career

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.

[edit] Champion

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.[2] However, after Rocky Marciano announced his retirement as heavyweight champion of the world on April 27 1956, Patterson was ranked by 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. Ring then moved Patterson into the heavyweight rankings, at number five.[3]

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 and 10 months. 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.

After a series of defenses, Patterson met Ingemar Johansson of Sweden, 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 that country's first world heavyweight champion, thus becoming a national hero in Sweden 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 to regain the undisputed world heavyweight title. 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 lay 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 Johannson once in the first round.

Patterson faced a variety of lesser contenders, including 1956 Olympic Champion Pete Rademacher fighting in his first professional match, which led to charges that Patterson was ducking number one contender Sonny Liston. Patterson, stung by the criticism, agreed to fight Liston.

Patterson lost his title to Liston on September 25, 1962, by a first-round knockout. The two fighters were a marked contrast. In the ring, Liston's size and power proved too much for Patterson's guile and agility. Ten months later, on July 22, 1963, 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.

Following these defeats, Patterson went through a depression. However, he eventually recovered and began winning fights again, including victories over Eddie Machen and George Chuvalo. Patterson became the number one challenger for the title then held by Muhammad Ali. On November 22, 1965, in yet another attempt to be the first to win the world's heavyweight title three times, Patterson lost by technical knockout at the end of the 12th round, in a bout in which Ali was clearly dominant.

Despite this loss, Patterson was still a legitimate contender. In 1966 he traveled to England and knocked out British boxer Henry Cooper in just four rounds at Wembley Stadium. In comparison, Ali never scored a knockdown against Cooper in their two bouts.

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. 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 lost a controversial 12-round decision to Jerry Quarry in 1967. 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 Sweden despite breaking Ellis' nose and scoring a disputed knockdown.

Patterson continued on, however, defeating Oscar Bonavena in a close fight over ten rounds in early 1972. However, a final defeat to Muhammad Ali in a rematch for the North American Boxing Federation heavyweight title on September 20, 1972, convinced Patterson to retire at the age of 37.

[edit] Retired life

In retirement, he and Johansson became good friends who flew across the Atlantic to visit each other every year, and he became chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission. He was also inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.

In 1982 and 1983 he ran the Stockholm Marathon together with Ingemar Johansson.

Patterson lived in New Paltz, New York for many years and was known as a true gentlemen around town. He was a Latin Rite Catholic convert and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

His adopted son, Tracy Harris Patterson, was a world champion boxer in the 1990s and was trained by Floyd during part of his career.

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

[edit] Death

The grave of Floyd Patterson

Floyd Patterson suffered from Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer and had been hospitalized for a week prior to his death. He died at home in New Paltz in 2006 at age 71. He is buried at New Paltz Rural Cemetery in New Paltz, Ulster County, New York.

[edit] Pop Culture References

 Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (October 2007)
  • In the Japanese boxing manga and anime series Hajime no Ippo (Fighting Spirit), the title character Makunouchi Ippo is taught the "Gazelle Punch" which is a recreation of the leaping blow Patterson used to defeat Johansson in their first rematch fight. Conversely, the character Takeshi Sendo's main technique, the Smash, is modeled after Donovan "Razor" Ruddock's technique, created to beat Mike Tyson's impenetrable defense.
  • He is a character in the popular Fight Night Round 3 Video Game, although he is portrayed as a slow wild punching slugger, he was a quick, sharp punching boxer.[citation needed]
  • Patterson is mentioned in the Billy Joel song "We didn't Start the Fire": "Liston beats Patterson."
  • Patterson is mentioned in the Swedish rock group Eldkvarns song "Alice", that deals with childhood memories from Norrköping in the 1950s. The line: "Sen kom Floyd Patterson på ett lastbilsflak" refers to Floyd Patterson touring Sweden in August 1960. He was paraded through Norrköping on a flat bed truck waving to the crowds.

[edit] Quotes

  • "It's easy to do anything in victory. It's in defeat that a man reveals himself."
  • "They said I was the fighter who got knocked down the most, but I also got up the most."
  • "When you have millions of dollars, you have millions of friends." [1]
  • 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."

[edit] See also

[edit] Professional boxing record

55 Wins (40 knockouts, 15 decisions), 8 Losses (5 KO, 3 Decisions), 1 Draw[4]
Res. Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Loss Muhammad Ali TKO 7 (15) 1972-09-20 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA Fight was for NABF Heavyweight title
Win Pedro Agosto TKO 6 (10) 3:00 1972-07-14 Flag of the United States Queens, NY, USA
Win Oscar Bonavena Decision (unanimous) 10 (10) 1972-02-11 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Charlie Harris KO 6 (10) 2:41 1971-11-23 Flag of the United States Portland, OR, USA
Win Vic Brown Decision (unanimous) 10 (10) 1971-08-21 Flag of the United States Buffalo, NY, USA
Win Charley Polite Decision 10 (10) 1971-07-17 Flag of the United States Erie, PA, USA
Win Terry Daniels Decision (unanimous) 10 (10) 1971-05-26 Flag of the United States Cleveland, OH, USA
Win Roger Russell TKO 9 (10) 1:29 1971-03-29 Flag of the United States Philadelphia, PA, USA
Win Levi Forte KO 2 (10) 1971-01-16 Flag of the United States Miami, FL, USA
Win Charley Green KO 10 (10) 1:15 1970-09-15 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Loss Jimmy Ellis Decision 12 (12) 1968-09-14 Flag of Sweden Stockholm, Sweden Fight was for WBA World Heavyweight title
Loss Jerry Quarry Decision (majority) 12 (12) 1967-10-28 Flag of the United States Los Angeles, CA, USA
Draw Jerry Quarry Decision (majority) 10 (10) 1967-06-09 Flag of the United States Los Angeles, CA, USA
Win Bill McMurray KO 1 (10) 2:37 1967-03-30 Flag of the United States Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Win Willie Johnson KO 3 (10) 2:05 1967-02-13 Flag of the United States Miami, FL, USA
Win Henry Cooper KO 4 (10) 2:10 1966-09-20 Flag of the United Kingdom London, United Kingdom
Loss Muhammad Ali TKO 12 (15) 2:18 1965-11-22 Flag of the United States Las Vegas, NV, USA Fight was for World Heavyweight title
Win Tod Herring TKO 3 (10) 0:40 1965-05-14 Flag of Sweden Stockholm, Sweden
Win George Chuvalo Decision (unanimous) 12 (12) 1965-02-01 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Charley Powell KO 6 (10) 1:21 1964-12-12 Flag of Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico
Win Eddie Machen Decision 12 (12) 1964-07-05 Flag of Sweden Solna, Sweden
Win Santo Amonti TKO 8 (10) 1964-01-06 Flag of Sweden Stockholm, Sweden
Loss Sonny Liston KO 1 (15) 2:09 1963-07-22 Flag of the United States Las Vegas, NV, USA Fight was for World Heavyweight title
Loss Sonny Liston KO 1 (15) 2:05 1962-09-25 Flag of the United States Chicago, IL, USA Lost World Heavyweight title
Win Tom McNeeley KO 4 (15) 2:51 1961-12-04 Flag of Canada Toronto, Canada Retained World Heavyweight title
Win Ingemar Johansson KO 6 (15) 2:45 1961-03-13 Flag of the United States Miami, FL, USA Retained World Heavyweight title
Win Ingemar Johansson KO 5 (15) 1:51 1960-06-20 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA Won World Heavyweight title
Loss Ingemar Johansson TKO 3 (15) 2:03 1959-06-26 Flag of the United States Bronx, NY, USA Lost World Heavyweight title
Win Brian London KO 11 (15) 0:51 1959-05-01 Flag of the United States Indianapolis, IN, USA Retained World Heavyweight title
Win Roy Harris Corner Retirement 12 (15) 1958-08-18 Flag of the United States Los Angeles, CA, USA Retained World Heavyweight title
Win Pete Rademacher KO 6 (15) 2:57 1957-08-22 Flag of the United States Seattle, WA, USA Retained World Heavyweight title
Win Tommy Jackson TKO 10 (15) 1:52 1957-07-29 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA Retained World Heavyweight title
Win Archie Moore KO 5 (15) 2:27 1956-11-30 Flag of the United States Chicago, IL, USA Won vacant World Heavyweight title
Win Tommy Jackson Decision (split) 12 (12) 1956-06-08 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Alvin Williams KO 3 (10) 1:58 1956-04-10 Flag of the United States Kansas City, MO, USA
Win Jimmy Walls TKO 2 (10) 2:29 1956-03-12 Flag of the United States New Britain, CT, USA
Win Jimmy Slade TKO 7 (10) 2:05 1955-12-08 Flag of the United States Los Angeles, CA, USA
Win Calvin Brad KO 1 (10) 2:58 1955-10-13 Flag of the United States Los Angeles, CA, USA
Win Dave Witlock KO 3 (10) 0:52 1955-09-29 Flag of the United States San Francisco, CA, USA
Win Alvin Williams TKO 8 (10) 1955-09-08 Flag of Canada New Brunswick, Canada
Win Archie McBride KO 7 (10) 1955-07-06 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Yvon Durelle Corner Retirement 5 (10) 1955-06-23 Flag of Canada New Brunswick, Canada
Win Esau Ferdinand KO 10 (10) 2:49 1955-03-17 Flag of the United States Oakland, CA, USA
Win Don Grant TKO 5 (10) 1:13 1955-01-17 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Willie Troy TKO 5 (8) 1955-01-07 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Jimmy Slade Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1954-11-19 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Joe Gannon Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1954-10-12 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Esau Ferdinand Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1954-10-11 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Tommy Harrison TKO 1 (8) 1:29 1954-08-02 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Jacques Royer Crecy TKO 7 (8) 1954-07-12 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Loss Joey Maxim Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1954-06-07 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Jesse Turner Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1954-05-10 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Alvin Williams Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1954-04-19 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Sammy Brown TKO 2 (12) 1:40 1954-03-30 Flag of the United States Washington DC, USA
Win Yvon Durelle Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1954-02-15 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Dick Wagner TKO 5 (8) 1953-11-14 Flag of the United States Louisville, KY, USA
Win Wes Bascom Decision (unanimous) 8 (8) 1953-10-19 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Gordon Wallace TKO 3 (8) 0:52 1953-06-01 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Dick Wagner Decision (split) 8 (8) 1961-04-19 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Chester Mieszala TKO 5 (6) 1:25 1953-01-28 Flag of the United States Chicago, IL, USA
Win Lalu Sabotin TKO 5 (8) 1:30 1952-12-29 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Lester Johnson TKO 3 (6) 1:26 1952-10-31 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA
Win Sammy Walker TKO 2 (6) 0:47 1952-10-06 Flag of the United States Brooklyn, NY, USA
Win Eddie Godbold KO 4 (6) 1:39 1952-09-12 Flag of the United States New York, NY, USA

[edit] References

  • Victory Over Myself by Floyd Patterson with Milton Gross. Published by Bernard Geis Associates, distributed by Random House, 1962. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 62-15657.

[edit] External links

[edit] References and Notes

  1. ^ Nichols, Joseph C. "30,000 EXPECTED AT POLO GROUNDS; Johansson's First Defense Likely to Bring Receipts of $750,000 at Gate", The New York Times, June 19, 1960. Accessed December 8, 2007. "Ingemar Johansson, a 27-year-old native of Goteborg Sweden, will make the first defense of his world heavyweight championship tomorrow night. He will oppose the previous title-holder, Floyd Patterson of Rockville Centre, L.I., in a fight scheduled for fifteen rounds at the Polo Grounds."
  2. ^ Weston, Stanley (editor) (1996). The Best of the Ring. Chicago, IL: Bonus Books. pp. 183. ISBN 1-56625-056-0. 
  3. ^ Daniel, Dan (August 2005), ""I Won't Be Back," Says Marciano", The Ring 84, no. 8: 90-91 
  4. ^ "boxer: Floyd Patterson". http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9038&cat=boxer. Retrieved on 2008-05-20. 
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Rocky Marciano
Retired		 World Heavyweight Champion
1956–1959		 Succeeded by
Ingemar Johansson
Preceded by
Ingemar Johansson		 World Heavyweight Champion
1960–1962		 Succeeded by
Sonny Liston
v • d • e
Olympic Boxing Champions in Men's Middleweight
1904: 145-158 lb (65.8-71.7 kg), 1908: 140-158 lb (63.5-71.7 kg), 1920-1936: 147-160 lb (66.7-72.6 kg), 1948: 67-73 kg 1952-2000: 71-75 kg, 2004-2008: 69-75 kg

1904: Charles Mayer (USA) • 1908: Johnny Douglas (GBR) • 1920–1924: Harry Mallin (GBR) • 1928: Piero Toscani (ITA) • 1932: Carmen Barth (USA) • 1936: Jean Despeaux (FRA) • 1948: László Papp (HUN) • 1952: Floyd Patterson (USA) • 1956: Gennadiy Shatkov (URS) • 1960: Eddie Crook, Jr. (USA) • 1964: Valeri Popenchenko (URS) • 1968: Chris Finnegan (GBR) • 1972: Vyacheslav Lemeshev (URS) • 1976: Michael Spinks (USA) • 1980: José Gómez (CUB) • 1984: Shin Joon-Sup (KOR) • 1988: Henry Maske (GDR) • 1992–1996: Ariel Hernández (CUB) • 2000: Jorge Gutiérrez (CUB) • 2004: Gaydarbek Gaydarbekov (RUS) • 2008: James DeGale (GBR)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Patterson"
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