Up and down, forwards and backwards; the Nineteen Sixties produced a heavyweight division that was as “counter-culture” as the USA of America itself on the time. Floyd Patterson, the “protected wager”, was upset by Ingemar Johansson to finish the Fifties and the rematch would jumpstart the brand new decade.
Proving grounds for each, however particularly Patterson who was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, however a protected champion nonetheless. What everybody knew (even when they refused to brazenly acknowledge it or privately settle for it) was that Charles “Sonny” Liston was the inevitable pathway of the heavyweight crown. Attempt as they could to delay it, Sonny Liston couldn’t be denied eternally. He was a nightmare, “thee” nightmare even.
So there’s our three-way image, however as is the case with most issues on this life, the status-quo was to be upset even additional and plunge the heavyweight division into a real, final hellscape. Not less than it was seen as such by the modern folks. What am I referencing, you ask? The controversy and magic that was the nuclear rise of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., in fact. This younger man would introduce a completely new nature to that of heavyweight boxing together with his brash, uber-confident, skilled wrestling oriented fashion exterior of the ring and his dancing technique of “floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee” within the ring. He was contemporary, totally different, and SCARY. Change is at all times initially feared and although this younger man’s impression is obvious at this time, again then it was appeared down on. Clay was seen as a loudmouth idiot who couldn’t hope to penetrate the present guard (keep in mind, Sonny Liston was the inevitable reality of heavyweight boxing).
Think about the craze that unfolded on February 25, 1964 when younger Cassius stamped his first of many marks on historical past when he “shook up the world”. The phobia that Sonny Liston evoked was changed by rapid shock and an unknown worry by the hands of the newly christened Muhammad Ali. It’s the satan you realize vs the satan you don’t; Liston or Ali? The folks of the time rejected each, lacking the times of Floyd Patterson and earlier than (particularly the likes of Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, and Jack Dempsey). Ali and Liston had been even deemed to be a collective shame to the game by previous legends.
Think about the additional hysteria when Muhammad Ali turned out to be rather more than his “Lip” and emerged as a respectable runner within the race towards being the best heavyweight ever. Regardless of his being a Black Muslim and the worst nightmare of all issues “conventional” on the time, his greatness couldn’t be denied. After which, in a flash, it was gone. His prime was halted and he was banished from boxing, leaving it in confusion and dismay.
The craziest a part of this all? The frustratingly up-and-down Nineteen Sixties heavyweight division had laid the inspiration for what was to develop into the Golden Age of Heavyweights: the Nineteen Seventies heavyweight boxing division. In fact, the same old marks are hit in one among my timelines: the fights, the behind the scenes, the drama, the Olympics, debuts & retirements, tragic deaths, and many others. Oh and there’s even a brand new sanctioning physique becoming a member of the motion within the 60s; the World Boxing Council or WBC. That’s proper, that is the additional confusion of the title scene that also plagues the division at this time.
You may look ahead to basic bouts like:Floyd Patterson vs Ingemar Johansson II and IIISonny Liston vs Floyd Patterson I and IIMuhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston I and IIMuhammad Ali’s 9 Title DefensesThe WBA Eliminator TournamentJoe Frazier vs Oscar Bonavena I and II& many extra…
I’ve mentioned an excessive amount of already, you may take pleasure in this timeline in full now by watching the linked documentary. The Nineteen Sixties heavyweights, in a manner, remind me of the Eighties heavyweights. I clarify why within the documentary. That is the lengthy desired timeline of the Nineteen Sixties heavyweight boxing division; the story of worry working rampant within the heavyweight division and the origin story of the Golden Age. From my coronary heart to yours; this has been TheCharlesJackson, writer of the Boxing Encyclopedia. Keep frosty, God bless, and don’t overlook to subscribe on YouTube!
