Muhammad Ali was a hero to many inside and out of the ring. He experienced five losses and was involved in many memorable wins. Inside the ropes, he was undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers. As a heavyweight, he had a unique skillset with exceptional speed, courage and an unmatched ability to punch from an impressive array of angles. On September 20, 1972, “The Greatest” took on Floyd Patterson in a rematch for the NABF heavyweight title, seven years after they first met.
Reflecting on the Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson Rematch at MSG
Ali Dominance and Final Fight for Patterson in 1972
Ali and Paterson first met on November 22, 1965, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada. It was a fight that “The Greatest” bossed, winning by twelfth-round TKO. It was a virtuoso performance by Ali, with the rematch delayed due to Ali’s ban from boxing.
The Louisville native began the rematch in a dominating fashion as he moved around the ring, picking off Patterson with his jab. “The Gentleman of Boxing” had limited success with his left hand. Ali defended well and kept his guard high, making it difficult for Patterson to have any sustained success.
A sustained beating from Ali caused swelling above Patterson’s left eye, which forced the challenger into survival mode. The ringside doctor inspected his damaged eye, instructing the referee to wave off the fight, awarding Ali the victory.
What Happened Next?
The defeat to Ali was the final fight of Patterson’s career, even though he never announced his retirement. Following the rematch, Ali defeated Joe Bugner before losing to Ken Norton, a loss he avenged just a few months later.
