Photograph by John G. Zimmerman

"In 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..."

Text by Martin Kane
Issue Date: January 4, 1960

On June 26, 1959, Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson knocked out Floyd Patterson to win the world heavyweight title. He became only the fifth heavyweight champ born outside of the United States. The 27-year-old "Hammer" sent Patterson to the canvas with a vicious right in the third round before a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden.