59 years ago

Date: 22nd November 1965

Title: WBC World Heavyweight Title

Referee: Harold Krause

Muhammad Ali
( 21 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 210 lbs

Floyd Patterson
( 43 - 4 - 0 )
Weight: 196 3/4 lbs

The November 22, 1965, heavyweight championship bout at the Las Vegas Convention Center showcased the stark political and generational divide in American society as champion Muhammad Ali defended his title against former two-time champion Floyd Patterson. The pre-fight narrative centred on ideology - Patterson positioned himself as the establishment's champion against Ali's Black Muslim affiliation, while Ali labelled Patterson an "Uncle Tom" and promised public humiliation.

The physical disparity (Ali 210 pounds, Patterson 197) proved decisive. Ali systematically broke down the shorter challenger with his jab from round two onward, though controversy surrounded his apparent decision to prolong the punishment rather than seek an early finish. Patterson, hampered by a ruptured sacroiliac joint that required treatment between rounds, took a knee in the sixth but demonstrated remarkable resilience.

Referee Harold Krause finally intervened at 2:18 of round twelve, with Patterson still standing but absorbing consistent punishment. The scorecards at the time of stoppage reflected Ali's dominance: Krause 53-46, Buck 54-45, and Stremmell 53-43. Post-fight criticism, including from Joe Louis, focused on Ali's perceived cruelty in extending the bout.

The fight's social significance overshadowed its tactical aspects. Patterson's insistence on calling Ali "Cassius Clay" and declaring that "a Black Muslim as World Heavyweight Champion disgraces the sport and the nation" prompted Ali's racially-charged taunts during the bout, including "Come on American. Come on, 'white' American." The crowd's booing of Ali reflected the deeper societal tensions playing out in the ring.

Ali's post-fight praise of Patterson's durability offered a conciliatory note. At the same time, Patterson admitted that though he preferred being counted out, watching the fight on television would have made him want it stopped. The bout marked Patterson's third unsuccessful attempt to regain the heavyweight crown since his historic 1960 recapture from Ingemar Johansson.