In 1959 Ingemar Johansson became the first european since Primo Carnera to hold the world heavyweight title and he simultaneously placed swedish boxing on the map.

In 1959 Ingemar Johansson became the first european since Primo Carnera to hold the world heavyweight title and he simultaneously placed swedish boxing on the map.

His amateur career was blighted by a curious decision in the 1952 Olympic games in Helsinki. he reached the final in the heavyweight divison but was disqualified for not giving his best against the initimidating and tough Edward Sanders it was not untill 1982 that he was finally awarded his silver medal.
After the Olympics Johansson turned pro and under the guidance of his manager Eddie Ahlquist made steafy progress. He won the european heavyweight title in 1956 by knocking out the Italian Franco Cavicchi in thirteen rounds and made an impression on British fight fans a year later when he disposed of Henry Cooper in just five short rounds.
How ever his most impressive win to date was against American Eddie Machen who was at the time considerd to be number one contender for the world heavyweight title. Johansson beat him in one round this elevated him into his first world title shot.

Johansseon faced the world champion Floyd Patterson on june 26 1959 in the rowdy atmosphere of the yanke stadium in New York. Prior to the fight Johansson and his manger played up the Swedes playboy image and were careful to conceal his devastating right hand punch from the press at his traning sessions.
When the day of the fight arrived Patterson was the hot favourite but Johansson unleashed his secret weapon and floored Patterson seven times in just 3 rounds before it was stopped. Europe had its first Champion in the than 25 years.
In the return fight a year later Patterson was fully aware of Johansson's righthand. Patterson knocked Johansson out in five rounds to become the first heavy weight to regain his title.
A 3rd fight with Patterson in 1961 patterson got the better of johansson again with a 6th round knockout. On june 17 1962 Johansson regained his European title which he relinquished on becoming the world champion by knocking Dick Richardson in eight rounds. However he was later sripped of the title for failing to defend it so in 1963 he want on another quest to become world champion what at the time was held by none other than Sonny Liston.
As a stepping stone to the title he fought Brian London and beat London on points but only just as he was floored by a flurry of hurtfull punches in the last round and would of lost by ko if it were not for the bell. Deciding that the fight with London was to close he new it was time to retire.

Johanssons 3 fights with Patterson will always put him in the history books and should be seen as a fighter who took all his fights seiously. he relied heavly on a righthand punch which could ko nearly any one they never new what hit them and ended upn on there backs on the canvas.