Ingemar Johansson vs. Brian London
Ingemar Johansson 200 lbs beat Brian London 207 lbs by PTS in round 12 of 12
- Date: 1963-04-21
- Location: Johanneshov Ice Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden
- Referee: Andrew Smyth
- Gate (app.) - $110,000
- Purses (app.) - Johansson - $50,000, London - $10,000
"The 12 round bout, billed as another step in Ingemar Johansson's march to a return shot at the heavyweight title, ended with Johansson staggering to his feet, his eyes glassy and his arms hanging at his side. Johansson, 200, apparently had the better of the dull fight until the final minute. He concentrated on his left jab to pile up points, and never landed his famous right hand. Brian London, 206, carried the fight but he could not land a solid punch until the final seconds when he stunned Johansson with a left and crashed him to the canvas with the right. The count had reached four and Johansson had just lurched to his feet when the bell rang. Referee Andrew Smythe of Ireland, the sole judge, awarded the fight to Johansson." -Associated Press
Although Johansson was the European heavyweight champion, this bout was non-title and scheduled for 12 rounds due to the EBU deeming London an unfit challenger for the European title.
Post fight comments:
- "I would have stopped the fight if the bell had not saved Johansson. He could not have continued." -Referee Andrew Smythe
- "His kid sister sure must be better than that." -Brian London, in response to a remark made several years earlier by Johansson when London had signed to fight Patterson for the title. Johansson scoffed at the time, "My kid sister can beat London with one hand tied behind her back."