Floyd Patterson 'Chickened Out To Fight Cleveland Williams'

March 1964

The New York State Boxing Commission and Independent Promotions
attempted to put together an Elimination Tournament.

The fighters,
#1 Doug Jones
#2 Floyd Patterson
#3 Ernie Terrell
#4 Cleveland Williams
#5 Eddie Machen

The 'first' proposal had Doug Jones getting a 'first round bye'.

And Floyd Patterson was slated to fight Cleveland Williams in a
12-Round Elimination bout.

Ernie Terrell and Eddie Machen were also to fight.

The contracts, designated that all fighters would receive $75,000
each, and would appear on a Nationally Televised bout.

All the 'participants' agreed, but suddenly Floyd Patterson got 'cold feet',
though the organizers claimed he 'chickened out' because he didn't want
to fight Cleveland Williams.

After agreeing to be part of a 'press conference' promoting the tournament,
Floyd returned to Sweden, to perform boxing exhibitions at $2500 a pop.

Floyd had been in Stockholm, Sweden in January 1964, when he received $65,000
to fight {and easily defeat by TKO 8} Italian Heavyweight Champion - Santo Amonti.

 

Mc G,

Al Bolan, Independent Promoter tried to get Madison Square Garden to
sponsor a Heavyweight Championship bout between Floyd and Doug Jones
for June 1964.

Floyd wanted to by-pass Cleveland Williams, and get rewarded for a
title shot by virtue of his victory over Santo Amonti (Italian Heavyweight)
in January 1964.

Ernie Terrell was the one going around calling Floyd a 'chicken'.

 

Correct,

Floyd wanted to 'participate' in the 5-Man Elimination Tournament, but
he wanted to choose his opponent, which was 'not' the 'Big Cat'.

 

Actually, it was 'Big Ernie' Terrell that called Floyd 'a chicken'.

As for Floyd's position at the time of the Sonny Liston - Cassius Clay bout in February 1964 -

Floyd was dropped to #7, and he was 'not' next in-line.

Had Sonny won (which was not going to happen) he was obligated to fight Eddie Machen next.

And, Doug Jones was on the 'on-deck circle'.

 

Mc G,

Floyd Patterson was 'absolutely not' next in-line for the winner of the Sonny Liston vs. Cassius Clay
bout in February 1964.

If Sonny had won, there wouldn't have been a boxing commission in the world that would have approved
of a Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson III bout, let alone a boxing promoter to put up the 'cash'.

At the time of the Championship Fight in February 1964 - Eddie Machen was next, followed by Doug Jones.

As a matter of fact, Harry Markson was trying to put together an Elimination bout between Eddie Machen and
Tony Alongi (promoted by Chris Dundee), but Alongi was having problems with his right elbow and required
rest, and could not compete.

 

Floyd 'pulled out' of the 1964 'proposed tournament'.

That is a fact,,,,,,, a 'printed fact'.

Floyd agreed to enter the New York State Athletic Commission '5-man tournament'.

Then 'chickened out' when he learned he was lined up to face Cleveland Williams.