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Writer's pictureEric J Herrholz

Remembering the great Floyd Patterson.

The great Floyd Patterson captured a gold medal in the middleweight division of the 1952 Olympic games hosted in Helsinki Finland, after that he became an house hold name in America.

Floyd Patterson one of the most dynamic fighters always amazing boxing fans with his two fisted attacks from behind a high guard that became better known as peak a boo style taught by late great trainer Cus D'Amato.

His biggest asset in the ring was superior hand speed and sublime footwork that finished several elite fighters in the boxing scene.

Patterson's trainer Cus D'Amato guided Floyd Patterson to a World championship on November 30th 1956 in Chicago Illinois.

Floyd Patterson contested for vacant World Heavyweight Championship with ageless Archie " old Mongoose" Moore (another great).

In a thrilling and classic contest both fighters had to dig deep and go to the trenches.

The brilliant boxing from Floyd Patterson stopped Archie Moore in the fifth round and followed the footstep of predecessors like Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles to became the fifth black African American fighter in history of boxing to capture the coveted World Heavyweight title and the youngest to do it at that time at the age of 21 years 331 days. Record later broken by Mike Tyson many, many years later.

Highlights of Floyd Patterson's amazing boxing career engages on a marvelous trilogy with Ingemar Johansson from Sweden losing first fight and won the other 2 fights in spectacular knockouts.

Floyd Patterson became first fighter in heavyweight division to regain his championship belt. On september 20th 1972 in Madison Square Garden New York.

Floyd Patterson was stopped in the seventh round by Muhammad Ali which was his last professional fight.

At one point of his life he was one of the most popular athletes on the planet. On may 11th 2006 legendary ex world champion Floyd Patterson passed away. In the brutal sport of boxing we rarely see a true gladiator like Floyd Patterson, his heart and tenacity will never be forgotten.


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