Floyd Patterson vs. Yvon Durelle (1st meeting)

Floyd Patterson 167 lbs beat Yvon Durelle 171 lbs by UD in round 8 of 8

• Date: 1954-02-15
• Location: Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York, USA
• Referee: Abe Simon 5-2
• Judge: Joe Eppy 5-3
• Judge: Leo Birnbaum 5-3

"Undefeated Floyd Patterson punched out a unanimous eight round decision over durable Yvon Durelle of Canada at Eastern Parkway Arena last night. It was a clear-cut win for the Brooklyn native but he was far from impressive. Patterson, 19, missed as often as he connected and twice fell to the canvas after swinging at the air. Rusty after a two month layoff, Patterson staggered the former Canadian light heavyweight champion several times but he couldn't drop him." -Associated Press

Post fight comment

• "The Durelle fight can be chalked up to experience. Floyd had never fought such an unorthodox fighter before and it took him five rounds to solve Durelle's bobbing and weaving tactics completely." -Cus D'Amato, Patterson's manager