Greatest Boxing

In a stunning turn of events that rocked the boxing world, Sweden’s Ingemar Johansson dethroned heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson in a spectacular third-round knockout at Yankee Stadium on June 26, 1959. The bout, which drew a crowd of 21,961 and generated a gate of $470,712, saw the underdog Johansson defy the odds and experts’ predictions to claim the world heavyweight title.

Entering the ring as a 5-1 underdog, Johansson weathered Patterson’s early attacks, employing a strategic jab to keep the champion at bay. The fight took a dramatic turn in the third round when Johansson unleashed his devastating right hand, dubbed the “Hammer of Thor.” The powerful punch sent Patterson to the canvas, initiating a sequence of knockdowns that would ultimately decide the contest.

Patterson, visibly dazed, struggled to regain his composure as Johansson pressed his advantage. The Swedish challenger displayed relentless aggression, flooring the champion an astonishing seven times before referee Ruby Goldstein halted the bout at 2:03 of the third round.

The victory marked a historic moment in boxing, as Johansson became the first Swedish heavyweight champion and only the third European to claim the prestigious title. His triumph sent shockwaves through the sport, defying the expectations of boxing writers who had picked Patterson to retain his crown.

Johansson’s unconventional approach to training, which included nights out in New York City with his girlfriend, contrasted sharply with Patterson’s monastic regimen. This added to the intrigue surrounding the bout, which was broadcast on closed-circuit TV to 170 locations across 135 cities and live on ABC radio.

The financial implications of the fight were significant, with Patterson guaranteed $300,000 and Johansson $100,000, plus percentages of the gate receipts. The event’s success highlighted the growing popularity of heavyweight boxing in the late 1950s.

Johansson’s victory catapulted him to international stardom, earning him the coveted Fighter of the Year award from The Ring magazine. His flamboyant personality and good looks quickly made him a media darling, drawing comparisons to Hollywood icon Cary Grant.

As the boxing world reeled from this unexpected outcome, fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipated the next chapter in the heavyweight division’s storied history.

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Filed under: Heavyweight - @ June 26, 1959 11:59 pm

Tags: Floyd Patterson, Ingemar Johansson