Never watched it. How good a fight was it? I know the Chuvalo camp didn't like the decision. Did they have any legitimate grounds for being unhappy?
It was an excellent fight...I was 12 years old when I saw it on tv,...and I had to fight with my uncle to see it...he kept trying to switch the channel to a basketball game! I though Patterson more than deserved to win it...and he was vindicate IMHO by taking so much punishment from Chuvalo and proving his toughness.
I was at the fight. It was a very good fight and Patterson got the decision and deserved it. I will say this, the atmosphere at the Garden that night was amazing. I was also at the Frazier vs. Ali fight at the Garden and this one had at least the same in arena buzz to it. Patterson was always a popular and well liked fighter. Chuvalo was always as tough as they come and so both fighters were very well liked and respected.
I was also there Floyd was the man in NYC, I believe the Garden was sold out for that fight. You are right about the buzz, I could have easily sold my ringside seat for 4 times it's face value. What sticks in my mind to this day, is Floyd's hand speed, his quick two fisted flurries, including his famous leaping left hook. Clinching with Chuvalo was asking for heavy punishment to the body and he battered Floyd's body big time. The fight was a bruising affair with Floyd's speed being the difference, all in all it was a great night, at the Garden. Muhamad Ali, was there it was just before he fought Liston and his name was still Cassius Clay, I remember after the the Patterson he was carrying on at ringside, yessir a nite to remember.
You're correct, and now after refreshing my faulty memory, I cant believe it has been over 50yrs ago. It still was a great fight and like a previous poster said the buzz was incredible. The Garden was a great place for boxing and the who's who of boxing that fought there during the 60's. Great fights, great times, only thing missing were great Mexicans.
