Trivia

Floyd almost won the Heavyweight Title a 3rd time. On 9/14/68 he fought Jimmy Ellis, for the WBA World Heavyweight Championship in Sweden and appeared to be the winner after 15 rounds. Ellis suffered a broken nose early and and was bleeding throughout the fight. The one judge was the referee who cast his vote for Ellis.There was also a controversial knockdown of Ellis.

Fought six world champions and defeated two.

Served twice as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.

Counseled troubled children for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services after retiring from the NYSAC.

Professional boxer

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1985.

Middleweight boxing gold medalist, 1952 Olympics.

World heavyweight boxing champion, 1956-1959, 1960-1962.

Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1991.

Born at 2:30pm-EST

Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, 1987.

First man to regain the World's Heavyweight Title.

Fought for the World's Heavyweight Title 5 times.

Won six title defenses all by knockout.

Fought from 1952-1972. Never officially retired from the ring. Rumors of a comeback continued until 1975.

Defeated world champions Archie Moore and Ingemar Johansson.

Adopted 13-year-old boxer Tracy Harris. Tracy Harris Patterson, won the WBC super bantamweight championship in 1992, under his father's coaching.

Left Comiskey Park in Chicago wearing dark glasses and a fake beard, after being knocked out in the first round by Sonny Liston, in 1962.

Is one of eleven children.

Ironically, In 1965 , Floyd as an ex champ, easily outpointed long time contender Eddie Machin , one of several contenders he was accused of "ducking" in his reign as champion. Floyd, stated after the bout that he could have easily KO'd Machen, but was concerned about Machen's history of depression. Machen, in 1960, lost a close 12 round decision to Floyd's nemesis Sonny Liston.

Survived by his wife Janet, two daughters Jennifer Patterson and Janine Patterson, and an adopted son Tracy Harris Patterson, He is also survived by two sons and two daughters Floyd, Eric, Seneca and Trina, three brothers Sherman, Raymond, and Alvin two sisters, Deanna and Carolyn, and eight grandchildren.

Was friends with Archie Moore, and Muhammad Ali.

Was the first fighter to defeat Roy Harris(22-0) and Tom McNeeley(23-0).

Defeated European Heavyweight Champion Henry Cooper.

Lost to world champions Joey Maxim, Ingemar Johansson, Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Ellis. His loss to Ellis was by a controversial decision.

Sent to the Wiltwyck School for Boys, upon his release, began boxing.

Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Retired in 1972.

The only fighters to beat him by decision were Joey Maxim, (1952) , Jerry Quarry, (1967),who also fought to a draw with Floyd earlier that same year, and Jimmy Ellis,(1968). .

He shares the distinction with Andrew Golotta of being the only fighters to be knocked out in the first round of two World Heavyweight title fights. Patterson, twice by Sonny Liston, (1962 and 1963). Golotta, by Lennox Lewis,(1997) and Lamon Brewster, (2005).