Floyd PATTERSON

Floyd Patterson took an excellent amateur record to the 1952 Olympics, as in 1951-52 he had won six major amateur titles, including the National AAU and New York Golden Gloves championships. His gold medal was easily won with a first round knockout over Romanian, Vasile Tita. Less than a month after the Olympics, Patterson fought his first professional fight against Eddie Godbold and knocked him out in four rounds. Patterson grew out of the middleweight class, and although light for a heavyweight, on 30 November 1956, he defeated light-heavyweight champion, Archie Moore, for the vacant heavyweight title. In the next two years, Patterson defended the title four times and also fought several exhibitions. In 1959 he lost his title to Ingemar Johansson when Johansson knocked Patterson out in three rounds. On 20 June 1960, Floyd Patterson became the first man to regain the heavyweight title when he KO'ed Johansson in the fifth round. Patterson defended the title twice before losing by KO in the first to Sonny Liston. Patterson fought for the title three more times, against Liston and then Muhammad Ali, being knocked out both times, and losing a decision in 1968 against Jimmy Ellis. In 1972 Patterson retired from the ring with a career record of 55 wins, eight losses, and one draw. Patterson later became chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.