n these days when so many contenders are half-baked, he fought Patterson coolly and shrewdly with the poise of a genuine professional, nullifying the champion's speed of hand with his own speed of foot, staving him off with a relentless barrier jab, saving the big right hand for the right big moment... Photograph by John G. Zimmerman Text by Martin Kane After knocking out Floyd Patterson in 1959, Swedish-born Ingemar Johansson became the fifth-ever heavyweight champion born outside the United States. He advocated the creation of a world boxing commission that would regulate the sport and protect its participants. Johansson retired from professional boxing in 1963 after regaining a previously held European title. Now 65, Johansson splits his time between Florida and Sweden and remains close with Patterson, now the chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.
	Sportsmen of the Year: 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996