Floyd Patterson 1968/1969 ~ "The Boxing Press Wants Floyd To Go Away"

[Bill Paxtom]

Floyd Patterson

January 4, 1968

On his 33rd Birthday,

The Boxing Press was pleading for the former 2-Time Heavyweight Champion
to just 'go away'.

Floyd, with a record of 46-6-1 {35 KO's} still felt that he could make his mark
on the Heavyweight Division.

In his last bout {October 28, 1967}, Floyd had lost a 'controversial' 12-Round
Majority Decision to Jerry Quarry in a WBA Elimination bout.

Ring Magazine still rated Floyd at #7, and felt that the aging former Champion
could still defeat most of the Heavyweights out there, as many were either
inept of over-rated.

Floyd Patterson

I know the Boxing Press wants me to 'go away'. They say I'm a 1950's Heavyweight,
and an 'old school type'.

I don't bring the flash {of Cassius Clay} or the power {of Joe Frazier} that they want
today.

But I feel that I can still handle myself pretty well in the Ring. And even though I'm
33 years-old, there are only a few guys out there that could give me any real trouble
inside the Ring.

[Bill Paxtom]

January/February 1968

While Floyd was getting 'verbally retired' by the American Boxing Press.

In Sweden, promoters there were trying to stage a Championship Bout
between Buster Mathis and Floyd.

A 'new' group called 'Boxing Championship International' wanted to stage
a bout for their 'vacant' Championship between Buster and Floyd.

Floyd had agreed to the bout, but Buster wasn't so sure, and opted to
fight Joe Frazier instead.

'Cowboy' Floyd Patterson

[holmcall]

Wtf

[Bill Paxtom]

February 1968

'Hey Floyd, Time To Leave Boxing To The Real Heavyweights'

The writers at Boxing News don't want to hurt Floyd Patterson's feelings,
but enough is enough.

Floyd, who has visited the floor more times than Cockroaches swept off the
kitchen counter, would be better if he left Boxing or at least the Heavyweight
Division.

There is something a little lower, called the Light-Heavyweight Division, where
overblown Middleweights or 'skinny-rails' hang out. That would be Floyd's best
venture if he decides to continue.

[brocktonblockbust]

patterson should ahve gone to light heavy when the bigger boys came up. Ali was just too fucking big fort people ike Marciano and Patterson----its a wonder how Fraczier diod so well given his small stature as we;ll

[Bill Paxtom]

patterson should ahve gone to light heavy when the bigger boys came up. Ali was just too fucking big fort people ike Marciano and Patterson----its a wonder how Fraczier diod so well given his small stature as we;ll

Cassius Clay,

Fought a lot of little guys.

Damn, Henry Cooper was only 188 lbs.