62 years ago Floyd Patterson becomes champion

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November 30, 1956. Rocky Marciano narrating.

 

Patterson looked perfect in this fight. Unfortunately for him, he started to come around in an era where skilled heavyweights were getting bigger. Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali were like the father's of the modern day skilled heavyweights.

Patterson could have had a long reign at light heavyweight, but he had outgrown it and there was no cruiser weight division yet. Patterson likely would have had a long reign there as well. Today, Patterson likely would have captured titles from super middle weight all the way to cruiser weight. And against the right opponent, like say a John Ruiz, could have even captured a heavyweight belt.

 

Did you know that Patterson's oldest daughter was born on this same night? His wife had went into labor right before Patterson went into the ring. His handlers agreed not to tell him because they wanted his mind on the fight. So they agreed to tell him after the fight was over. So after the fight, Patterson and his handlers drove from Chicago back to New York so Patterson could see his newborn child.

 

That would be
1,149,832.09 in 2018 when adjusted for inflation.