Profession: Boxing Champion
Biography: Floyd Patterson was an American professional boxer who in 1956 became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world at the age of 21. His win against reigning champion Archie Moore also made him the first Olympic gold medalist to win a professional heavyweight title.
Known for his quick footwork and powerful punches, Patterson was a dominant force in the heavyweight division during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was the first to ever retake the heavyweight title, which he did by knocking out Ingemar Johansson in 1960.
While Patterson defended the title, particularly in two rematches against Johansson, he would ultimately lose it to Sonny Liston in a first-round knockout. When Patterson went back against Liston for a rematch, he lasted only four longer; again being knocked out in the first round.
Although Patterson remained a contender, including against Muhammad Ali in 1965, he was never able to reach the heights of his early career. He retired in 1972 with a record of 55 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw, with 40 wins by knockout.
Patterson subsequently transitioned to roles in boxing administration and mentoring, including serving as the chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission. He would train his adopted son, Tracy Harris Patterson, who also went on to be a world champion boxer in the 1990s.
Born: January 4, 1935
Birthplace: Waco, North Carolina, USA
Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Capricorn
Boxing Record
- 1952-08-02 17 year-old future world champion Floyd Patterson wins the gold medal in the middleweight division at the Helsinki Olympic Games with a 1st round KO of Romanian Vasile Tita
- 1955-01-07 20 year-old future world heavyweight boxing champion Floyd Patterson scores a 5th-round TKO of Willie Troy in a non-title super middleweight bout at New York’s Madison Square Garden
- 1956-11-30 At 21 years, 10 months, 3 weeks, 5 days Floyd Patterson becomes youngest world heavyweight boxing champion; KOs Archie Moore in 5th round in Chicago; first Olympic gold medalist to win a professional heavyweight title
- 1957-07-29 Floyd Patterson TKOs Tommy Jackson in 10 for heavyweight boxing title
- 1957-08-22 Olympic heavyweight boxing champion Pete Rademacher becomes first to contest the world title in his first professional bout; knocked out by Floyd Patterson in 6th round at Sicks' Stadium, Seattle
- 1958-08-18 Floyd Patterson TKOs Roy Harris in 13 for heavyweight boxing title at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, California
- 1959-05-01 Floyd Patterson scores 11th round KO of Englishman Brian London in Indianapolis; his 4th World Heavyweight Boxing title defence
- 1959-06-26 Ingemar Johansson of Sweden floors Floyd Patterson 7 times in the 3rd round in NYC to win the world heavyweight boxing title
- 1960-06-20 Floyd Patterson becomes first man to regain the world heavyweight boxing title when he KOs Ingemar Johansson in 5 in New York
- 1961-03-13 Floyd Patterson overcomes two 1st round knockdowns to KO Ingemar Johansson in 6 in Miami Beach and retain the world heavyweight boxing crown
- 1961-12-04 Floyd Patterson KOs Tom McNeeley in 4 for heavyweight boxing title
- 1962-09-25 Challenger Sonny Liston KOs Floyd Patterson at 2:06 of round 1 at Comiskey Park, Chicago to win the world heavyweight boxing title
- 1963-07-22 In their second clash Sonny Liston once again KOs Floyd Patterson in round 1 at the Convention Center, Las Vegas to retain the world heavyweight boxing title
- 1965-02-01 Former world heavyweight boxing champion Floyd Patterson beats Canadian George Chuvalo by unanimous decision in a 12-round non-title clash at New York’s Madison Square Garden; 'The Ring' names bout Fight of the Year.
- 1965-11-22 In his second title defense, Muhammad Ali scores 12th-round KO of Floyd Patterson at Las Vegas Convention Center to retain his world heavyweight boxing championship
- 1968-09-14 Jimmy Ellis beats Floyd Patterson in 15 for heavyweight boxing title
Famous Boxers
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