Boxing Classics. Liston vs. Patterson 1 & 2.

After Floyd Patterson won the heavyweight championship in 1956, he defended it successfully until 1959 when he lost to Ingemar Johansson. Floyd regained the title back in 1960 and defeated Johansson again in their third meeting as well. Sonny Liston had moved up the rankings and was the number one contender by 1960, but was avoided by Patterson’s manager Cus D’Amato. D’Amato knew Floyd couldn’t beat the powerful Liston, but used Sonny’s known mob ties as the reason for refusing to fight him. Finally in 1962, Floyd agreed to meet Liston and the bout was signed for September 25, 1962 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Overwhelmed by Liston’s reach and size advantages, Floyd tried to box but was caught two minutes into the opening round and knocked out with two powerful left hooks.

Patterson had agreed in his contract to meet Sonny in a rematch, so the two met again the following July 22, 1963 at the Convention Center in Las Vegas. Sonny was a 4-1 favorite going in and no one with an iota of common sense gave Floyd any chance of winning. While Patterson did put up a better fight, he was still knocked down three times and out in the first round. I personally have always liked both men but can’t help but feel sorry for Patterson every time I watch him get knocked out in either bout.

Liston had the reputation of a brute and a bully, but was harassed by the police unjustly and forced to move from town to town to until he finally settled in Las Vegas for good. Patterson went on to challenge the new champion Muhammad Ali on November 22, 1965 and would lose via a 12th round knockout when he had to quit because of a bad back. Floyd would continue to box until 1972 but never for again for the world championship.

While both fights between Liston and Patterson were mismatches, they are boxing classics because of the significance of them and for the time they took place. I always admired Floyd for accepting the fight with Liston, when he could have taken on easier challengers to protect his championship. It’s more respectable to go out on your shield than to hold a title longer than you should have had it because you didn’t have the guts to fight the best.

Both men are deserved members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canasota, New York. Do yourself a favor and visit the Hall, a beautiful home for boxing’s best to be honored.