FLOYD PATTERSON - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH CO-SIGNED BY: INGEMAR JOHANSSON - HFSID 279173

FLOYD PATTERSON and INGEMAR JOHANSSON
B/w photo of Ingemar Johansson getting pulled off a knocked-down Floyd Patterson during one of their bouts, signed by both in blue ink
Photograph signed: "Ingemar Johansson" and "Floyd Patterson". B/w, 9¾x7¾. In 1956, 21-year-old FLOYD PATTERSON (1935-2006) became the youngest fighter to win the World Heavyweight title until Mike Tyson won the WBC crown in 1986 at the age of 20.Champion since 1956, Patterson lost his title to Ingemar Johansson by a TKO in the third round, June 26, 1959. In the June 20, 1960 rematch, Patterson KO'd Johansson in the fifth round to become the first defeated World Heavyweight Champion to regain his title. Patterson lost his title in 1962 when Sonny Liston KO'd him in the first round. In 1952, INGEMAR JOHANSSON (1932-2009), competed in the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. Thirty years later, Johansson, who had been disqualified for what judges deemed a tepid performance, was presented with the Silver medal by the International Olympic Committee. In 1959, Johansson became the first Swede and last European to win the World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Floyd Patterson with a KO in the third round. (Patterson came back to knock Johansson out in each of two rematches.) Johansson, who fought 28 bouts during his professional career, had a record of 26 wins (17 by KO, 8 decisions and one win by foul) and two losses (both by KOs; both to Patterson), and remains a hero in his native country. Fine condition.