Ingemar Johansson(1932-2009)

Handsome and charming, Ingemar Johansson was one of Heavyweight Boxing's most exciting and colorful champions. Born in Sweden on September 22, 1932, Johannsson discovered at a young age that he had "thunder" in his hands, and entered amateur boxing. As a member of the European Amateur Boxing Team, he competed in Chicago against the American Team in 1951, and knocked out Ernest Fann in two rounds. At the 1951 Olympic Games, Ingemar represented Sweden, but was criticized in losing by disqualification to America's Ed Sanders. Upon retuning home, Johansson retired from amateur boxing with a record of 60-11 and turned professional. At almost 6 feet 2 inches tall and a lean 195 pounds, he excelled in pro boxing. He won the Scandinavinian Heavyweight Title in 1953 and the Europen Championship in 1958. In 1958, Ingemar shocked the boxing world by knocking out number one contender and undefeated Eddie Machen in the first round. On June 26, 1959, he KO'd World Champ Floyd Patterson to win the title. His good looks earned him a part in the 1960 film, All The Young Men starring Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier. A year later Johansson was knocked cold by Patterson in the rematch. He retired in 1963 with a 26-2 record. In 1969 he attempted a comeback,but at 37 and weighing over 250 pounds, it never got off the ground.