Floyd Patterson 'Comeback 1964'

Floyd Patterson,

January 1964

Written off and dismissed by every American 'boxing pundit' as being 'washed-up, and 'damaged goods'.

Following the 'two' 1st-Round disasters to Sonny Liston, embarked on a comeback tour, to start out
in Stockholm, Sweden.

Floyd's plan, to work his way back to a 'third bout' with Sonny Liston.

Out of the 'ring', since July 1963, Floyd will return.

Floyd, now age 29, has to dropped to the #8 Heavyweight, and with every capable Heavyweight
contender looking to fight him, to add his name to their resume, leaves America (where he seemed
to be not welcomed) and arrives in Sweden to cheers and open arms. Carrying a record of
47-4-0 (31 KO's), Floyd is still a 'force', and should not be taken lightly despite the 'Knockout'
losses to Sonny Liston.

Swedish Promoter, Edwin Ahlquist signs Floyd to come to Johanneshov Stadium in Stockholm,
to take on Italian Heavyweight Champion and #3 ranked European - Santo Amonti.

Santo Amonti, a 26 year-old - 191 lb. boxer-puncher, with a record of 50-4-3 (31 KO's).
Amonti as the #18 ranked Heavyweight, feels he is more than an opponent, and believes
he can take the former 2-time Heavyweight Champion in this 10-Round bout.

 

In front of nearly 12,000 Stockholm boxing fans, Floyd Patterson opened up in the '1st Round' with a
tentative stance, as he tested the 6' 0" 191 lb. 26 year-old Italian with movement and measuring left jabs.
Both fighters went through the 'typical' feeling out steps, and neither seemed concerned about opening up
with any heavy punches.

When the bell sounded for Round 2, it was the 'first' time Floyd had heard that sound in over 2+
years, since his December 1961 bout versus Tom McNeeley.

In Round 2, Floyd found the new style, one of attacking, as he went right after Santo Amonti,
landing crisp left-rights, backing the Italian up looking for a place to hide. Floyd, after rocking
Amonti, tore into his opponent with a fast '10-punch barrage' that had Santo hanging on.

With his opponent in retreat, Floyd then floored Santo with a crisp right-hand. Amonti, upon rising,
used all his defensive skills to last through the round.

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Round 3, Floyd in control, smartly boxed and moved, while trying to set-up a
left hook. Santo, did attempt to get back into the fight, but he was simply out-classed
in speed, power and skills.

In Round 4, Floyd went back into 'attack mode' and scored with several good crisp punches,
driving Amonti back on his heels. As Santo was backed up near the ropes, he attempted a
right upper-cut, only to be met by a sizzling Patterson left-hook, that deposited the Italian
on the canvas again.

Amonti got up at the '3-Count', and had to retreat and jab as Patterson stalked, swinging with
hard hooks for the rest of Round 4. Santo was able to 'stem-the-tide' with medium power punches,
as Floyd did a get a bit wild.

In the 'middle rounds', (5 and 6) it was the 'standard' Floyd Patterson left-right combinations,
as he continued to back-up the 'out-classed' Amonti. Every time Santo attemted a punch, he was
met by a counter left-hook, which rattled him.

In Round 7, Santo managed a 'brief rally', but by rounds end, it was Patterson who had taken control,
by scoring with good hooks to the body.

In Round 8, Floyd again pressed, with his left hook as the main weapon throughout the round. At the
2:00 Mark, with Santo backing up, Floyd landed a long right hand flush on the chin, dropping Amonti
for the 'third time'.

Santo got up, only to be met by a volley of hard punches, where he staggered back, and fell upon
the lower rope strand. After getting off the ropes, the Italian opened his arms in resignation, as
he was in no condition to continue.

Referee Andrew Smyth called at halt to the bout at 2:25, with Floyd the winner by TKO 8.

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British Sportswriters,

'We can write off Floyd Patterson, as he was unimpressive in stopping a clumsy
Italian Heavyweight Champion. Floyd, who foolishly thinks he can get back to a
third bout with Sonny Liston, will fool no one with this performance.'

'Floyd is ranked #8 in the Heavyweight Division, which is about where he shoud be.
We're sure, either Sonny Liston or Cassius Clay will prop him up for a Challenger in the
near future, as his performance tonight proved he will be a perfect foe.'

'Floyd said he will need 5 or 6 more fights here in Sweden, before he gets back to
a World Championship. One wonders why fight for the title, when he can make $75,000
per fight here, fighting low-level opponents without getting hurt.'

'It is a step in the right direction, but Floyd's time has passed. If he took 8-Rounds
to stop an over-blown Light-Heavyweight, what can we expect when he faces another
bigger man.'

'Floyd knocked out the Italian Heavyweight Champion. I'm sure we'll see the French
Heavyweight Champion next. Bon appetit.'