Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson

**Challenger rankings**
Org.	Pos.	As of	Published
1+ Mth. Old
WBA	1	29.07.1965	29.07.1965
Ring	N/A	N/A	N/A
2+ Mth. Old
WBA	1	30.06.1965	04.07.1965
Ring	1	30.06.1965	01.07.1965
3+ Mth. Old
WBA	1	31.05.1965	02.06.1965
Ring	1	31.05.1965	02.06.1965

Notes

The bout was reportedly in negotiations since at least mid-July.
On July 16, Ali announced that his next opponent would be either Patterson or George Chuvalo.[1][2]
On July 26, the managing director of the Madison Square Garden Harry Markson announced a plan that would involve Ali against Patterson and Ernie Terrell against George Chuvalo to a mini-tournament for the undisputed championship, and that all fighters but Ali had agreed in principle.[3][4][5]
On August 4, Ali stated publicly that his next opponent would most likely be Patterson "in 2 or 3 months" in Washington or New York.[6]
On August 22, Ali further underlined that Patterson would be his next opponent "in about 2 1/2 months", but nothing had been signed yet.[7]
Contracts signed on September 16.[8][9]

Patterson moved from No. 2 to No. 1 contender by The Ring Magazine on June 2; previous No. 1 contender Sonny Liston dropped out of the rankings entirely after his loss to Ali in a rematch.[10]
Patterson ranked second-best heavyweight by the WBA since December 9, 1964, remained there up until the day of the fight.

Ali nicknamed Patterson "The Rabbit" because "he's scared like a rabbit."
Before the fight, Patterson insisted on calling Ali "Cassius Clay." Ali responded by calling Patterson an "Uncle Tom" and promising to humiliate him.

Ali taunted Patterson during the fight with remarks like, "Come on American. Come on 'white' American."
Patterson fought the fight with a bad back, and his corner worked on his back between rounds.
Patterson took a knee in the sixth round.
Referee Harry Krause stopped the fight in the twelfth round with Patterson on his feet taking punishment. Krause said, "It was hurting me to watch."
The crowd booed Ali, believing he treated Patterson with cruelty and disrespect.
Unofficial Las Vegas SUN scorecard (through 11 completed rounds) - 54-45 Ali
Official Fight Poster
Poster #2
Photo #2, Photo #3, Photo #4, Photo #5, Photo #6
See Also: Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson (2nd meeting)

"The image of a Black Muslim as the World Heavyweight Champion disgraces the sport and the nation." - Patterson before the fight
"Patterson says he's gonna bring the title back to America. If you don't believe the title is already in America, just see who I pay taxes to." - Ali before the fight
"This will be a mismatch. Floyd Patterson will be no match. He's too short, he's too slow, he don't have the reach, he can't take a punch, he don't hit hard and he don't have the footwork. This will be a mismatch. I'll hit him about six times to every every miss that he throws." - Ali before the fight
"In my honest opinion, if I was watching the fight at home on TV, I would have wanted it stopped, but I preferred to be counted out." - Patterson after the fight
"He could have knocked Patterson out whenever he wanted, but let's face it, Clay is selfish and cruel." - Joe Louis after the fight.

Preceded by:
Ali vs. Liston II

WBC Heavyweight Title Fight
# 4

Succeeded by:
Ali vs. Chuvalo