BoxRec

Can someone help?
During the last week in April 1956, Johansson and his manager came to London to arrange a fight in Gothenburg that summer. It fell through due to Johansson getting a European title fight
In preparation for that fight Johansson brought over Albert Finch and British heavyweight as sparring partners.
Does anyone know who the proposed fight was against and who was the heavyweight sparring partner?

In his book Johansson briefly mentiones Albert Finch, Marcel Limage from Belgium and Tom Ward from England.
I know nothing about Ward, he could have been an amateur, Ingemar was never tough on opponents in sparring.
They were looking for a British boxer for a outdoor show in Sweden, so it must have been a major fighter. He had just beaten Bygraves and his next british opponent was Peter Bates.

thanks for taking the time to respond. I used to have the Boxing News from the 50's , I'm certain the info would have been there.

What a great record Johansson had btw

I've looked through the April and early May 1956 issues of BN and there is only one mention of Johansson I could see.
Commenting on his victory over Friedrich, the April 20 issue says “his next opponent may be British heavyweight Henry Cooper. This bout is planned for next month at a football ground in Gothenburg.”

bladder

very helpful, really appreciate you taking the time

I checked the English newspapers from April and May of 1956 but only came up with a small article mentioning Archie Moore as a potential opponent for Johansson in the Summer of 1956.

thanks bantamweight, great people boxing fans

My pleasure. I've been on a Johansson kick lately and have read a ton of old newspaper articles about him.

I should have said thanks Goose 5, it's been a while since I was boxrec!!
I've sent you a private message, I'm writing a short book on Johansson

goose 5 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2023, 20:13 My pleasure. I've been on a Johansson kick lately and have read a ton of old newspaper articles about him.

Did you know he was in training for a comeback around 1970? He said he felt good and would be ready for a Euro title fight after a couple of tune up bouts. He was also hog fat, luckily it never came off.

What's also very interesting is how fat he was when running full marathons.

1970 would have been way too late for him to box again.

goose 5 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2023, 20:16 1970 would have been way too late for him to box again.

Absolutely it would have been. The article I read was from 1969, he was apparently at 265lbs.

Liston pulled a prank on him in 1963. When the Swede came to visit him, Liston's handler locked the door to the room and Liston challenged him to a fight then and there. Johansson literally cowered and ran for the door; Liston burst into laughter.

Just after johansson retired Liston was invited to Sweden by Johansson because he was about to try promoting and hoped he could get Liston to fight there.
Both families became good friends.