By Gav Duthie: The hallmark of Floyd Patterson’s career was getting up more than any champion before him. This is exactly what he had to do on Feb 1st 1965 when his reputation was at rock bottom when facing solid Canadian George Chuvalo. The contest was a back and forth technical but brutal display which saw Floyd win a unanimous decision opening the door to another title shot against the undefeated Muhammad Ali.
In the lead up to the biggest fight of our generation between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio I will attempt to relive ‘Ring Magazines fights of the year’ through the decades as they happened from 50/40/30/20/10 years down to May 2nd 2015.
Patterson’s career to this point
Floyd would be no more than a cruiserweight in boxing today due to his small stature. He was the 1952 Olympic gold medalist in the light heavyweight division and on November 1956 became the youngest ever heavyweight champion at 21 (only surpassed by Mike Tyson, 19) when he knocked Archie Moore out cold with a brutal left hook in the 5th round. Patterson had fought 36 times (35-1) in 4 years before beating Moore. Archie was ageing but had taken Rocky Marciano 9 rounds the year previous and had also knocked the undefeated champion down before faltering. Floyd also became the first man to regain the heavyweight title when he again knocked out big punching Swede Ingemar Johannson with a single left hook in the fifth round in 1959. This was a rematch after Ingemar had destroyed Patterson in 3 the year previous landing the big right hand dubbed ‘Ingo’s Bingo’ or ‘The Hammer of Thor’ on route to 7 knockdowns. Floyd went on to another classic rubber match with Johannson where there were 3 knockdowns in round 1, twice in Johannson’s favor and one for Patterson. Floyd eventually won via 6th round knockout ending one of the greatest trilogies of all time. However by 1965 before Chuvalo Patterson was seen as a fighter past his prime. He had lost the heavyweight title 3 years earlier to the feared and revered Sonny Liston in 1 round and lost the rematch in 1 round also. Floyd reflects in his biography ‘Victory over Myself’ that he brought in a fake beard, hat and glasses before the Liston fight so he could leave unseen after losing. He had severe confidence issues often feeling he didn’t belong at the top. Patterson was 41-4 going into this bout with the Iron chinned Chuvalo 29-8-2 (career finished 73-18-2 (64)). After beating Doug Jones Chuvalo was favourite to win this among some although the bookmakers slightly favoured Patterson.
Fight Reception
Heavyweight boxing had not been as popular since the retirement of Rocky Marciano 49-0 (43). Patterson then took the vacant title and had eventually lost to Liston who was then followed by the unpopular (at the time of course), loud mouthed brazen Cassius Clay. When Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali he became even more detached as Islam as a religion was confusing in America at the time. Given Ali’s attitude and Liston being an ex-con and mob leg breaker, Patterson had actually became more popular after losing his title. Many felt sorry for him given his lack of self belief. Floyd had won 4 fights since Liston but none in the U.S. His last was in Puerto Rico with 3 in Sweden where he was immensely popular due to the Johannson trilogy. Surprisingly for this comeback in a non-title fight he managed to sell out Madison Square Garden with 300 press member also present.
The fight
Floyd was trained by Cus D’Amato, who later trained Tyson, Patterson and Tyson had a similar style. Lots of head movement, fast hands and combinations up close. It was dubbed peek-a-boo by the media. Floyd was known for out brawling bigger opponents but after Liston few doubted he could continue this. Muhammad Ali had recently revolutionized heavyweight boxing with a defensive boxing masterclass using his jab, footwork and speed against Liston to become the new heavyweight champion. This hadn’t been a workable style at heavyweight but Patterson largely adopted a similar approach in this fight and the remainder of his career as a veteran.
The link shows champion Ali’s debut as a boxing commentator (as always some quality comments) and a post fight panel including Patterson himself and Rocky Marciano only 4 years before his untimely death in a plane crash.
Chuvalo was the aggressor throughout most of the contest. He battered Patterson to the body so much that Floyd was treated for several burst blood vessels on his back. Chuvalo fought dirty at times but the referee was sharp in breaking up the clinches. Floyd would occasionally throw the looping left hook as he struggled to stay disciplined always up for a scrap despite his short comings with having a weaker chin. However when Floyd went forward Chuvalo landed more. Chuvalo was landing big to Patterson’s ribs as the former champ was forced to give ground due to the high intensity. Floyd was landing counter right hands and combinations whilst Chuvalo went low but the Canadian hurt Floyd in the 4th and 6th rounds. Floyd responded in the 8th with several right hands bringing the crowd to a roar. The American was taking over in the final stretch but Chuvalo landed his best punches in the 10th all but flooring Floyd. The former champion rallied in the final two though to claim the decision. The pace was frenetic and although looking back Floyd did win their were boo’s from the crowd as this new style of defensive and countering wasn’t favored over George’s aggression. It is still today one of the greatest heavyweight fights ever.
Scorecards (old format included)
6-5-1 (115-114)
7-5 (115-113)
8-4 (116-112)
Ali quotes
After the fight Ali described it as “A beautiful fight by Patterson” and promised him a title shot after he beat Sonny Liston again. Ali then beat Liston with what was called the phantom punch in only 1 round and true to his word gave Floyd a shot winning via 12 TKO.
George Chuvalo is 77 now and has 5 children. He was ranked #4 on ESPN’s all time greatest boxing chins list. He was never knocked down his entire career.
Floyd Patterson continued his career after the fight and fought Jerry Quarry to draw, beat Oscar Bonavena and lost another shot to Jimmy Ellis in one of the most controversial decisions ever in what would have made him the first 3-time world champion which Ali eventually achieved when he beat Leon Spinks. Patterson’s adopted son Tracy Harris Patterson became a two time champion in the lower weight classes, Floyd passed away in 2006, age 71.
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