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HT This Day: Nov 24, 1965 -- Cassius Clay keeps title
Cassius Clay retained his world heavyweight championship here last night with a decisive victory over Floyd Patterson.
Cassius Clay retained his world heavyweight championship here last night with a decisive victory over Floyd Patterson.
The referee stopped the bout after two minutes and 18 seconds of the 12th round with Patterson still on his feet, but unable to defend himself against the flailing fists of the 23-year-old champion.
Patterson, struggling to keep his feet and under the influence of painkilling drugs, told a Press conference that he had injured his back during training last Wednesday and had been troubled with it after the third round of the bout.
Cassius Clay, fighting under his black Muslim name of Mohammad Ali showed himself a master boxer through the 12 rounds. but he could not finish off the courageous challenger, who was bidding to become the first man ever to win the title for a third time.
Patterson’s determination made it the longest world heavyweight championship fight since he himself knocked out Roy Harris in the 12th round in August 1958.
It almost appeared at times as though Clay was carrying out his pre-fight threats of “punishing Floyd for an he has said about me.”
Clay used his long let jab with great effect in the earlier rounds then he started to punish the 39 year-old Patterson with sharp combinations of rights and lefts. mostly to the head, as Patterson appeared unable to move away from the blows.
There was only one knock-down in the sixth round. It came when a dazed Patterson put his knee down ort the canvas after taking a flurry of blows. but only after Clay had moved a good five feet away. There was a mandatory count of eight lengthened while the referee chased Clay into a neutral corner. But Patterson got up and fought on without trouble.
The scorecards of the two judges and referee Harry Krause showed Clay far ahead on points when the fight was stopped.
Early blows
As the fourth round began. Clay shouted insults at Patterson. But Patterson landed early with a good left book Clay was playing cat-and-mouse, and the two stayed in the centre of the ring for ten seconds without exchanging a blow, making only body movements. Patterson tried to come in close once, but Clay stayed away.
While official figures will not be available soon. gross receipts from all sources should pass four million ‘ dollars.
Clay will probably get $750,000 for his hour’s work with Patterson taking $375,000.
Clay, beaming with joy, unmarked and not very tired looking said after he fight that he wanted to box again after three months against “any challenger the people want me to fight.”
He had nothing but praise for Patterson He was asked why he had not been able to knock cut the supposed y glass-jawed challenger despite being able to hit him almost at will for most of the later rounds.
“I didn’t fail. He’s a good puncher too and I had to beware.”
Patterson, who has to be helped down the steps from the ring after the bout, was obviously still in considerable pairs when he told his story had an hour later.
“I am very very sorry because of what happened tonight,”’ he began in his usual contrite manner. “I hoped I could give a much better fight, but unfortunately I was not able to do so.”
“I will not make excuses for what happened. I don t want to take anything away from Mr Clay.”
Asked if he thought the referee should have stopped the fight as he did Floyd said: “If I had been sitting at home watching on the television in my own opinion I would say yes. But as it was me in there I have to say no.”
