Ingemar Johansson, "The Hammer of Thor" Dies
"Ingo" The Boxing Legend was Sweden's National Hero
Feb 8, 2009
Johansson shocked the world when he knocked out Floyd Patterson for the heavy weight crown in 1959. He lost his next two bouts against him but those were his only two losses. A colourful character, who acted in movies, was a successful businessman and his best friend after retirement was his old adversary, Patterson.
Early Career and 1952 Olympics
His father was a construction worker in Gothenberg. He joined a boxing club at the age of 13, had his amateur debut at 16 and as the Swedish amateur heavy weight champion, the 19 year old "Ingo" as he came to be known in Sweden, entered the 1952 Olympics. He made into the final but was disqualified after the second of the three rounds for lack of effort. Johansson's stance was that he was tiring down his opponent as advised by his coach. It was in 1982, that the International Olympic Committee presented him with his silver medal.
Professional Career and World Heavy Weight Champion
A disappointed Johansson turned professional. In 1956, he won the European Heavyweight crown by a 13 round KO over the reigning champion Franco Cavicchi of Italy.
Johansson got a shot at world title against the champion Floyd Patterson in 1959 at the New York's Yankee stadium. His training base was the Catskill resort in Grossinger. He surprised many by not following a strict training regimen expected before the most important fight of his life. Johansson was often spotted at night clubs with beautiful damsels.
So it was no surprise when he entered the ring as a 5-1 underdog. In the third round, Johansson's powerful right hand punch knocked Patterson down. The champion stood up only to be sent down again six times before referee stopped the contest.
The two had a rematch in June 1960. This time Patterson knocked him out in the 5th round to become the first person ever to regain the world heavy weight title. They had another rematch the next year. Not in the best shape, the Swede fought well but went down in the sixth round.
Johansson remained active on the professional circuit until 1963. He reclaimed the European title in 1962. There was chance for a title fight against the new world champion Sonny Liston. However, Johansson was going downhill. He managed to win his last professional bout, a non-title fight against the journeyman Brian London but wisely decided to quit.
Apart from his two defeats against Patterson, he won all the other 24 bouts.
Post Retirement
After hanging the boxing goves, Johansson became a successful businessman. He lived in Florida for many years before returning to Sweden late in life. He acted in several films in Sweden and also in a Hollywood movie "All the Young Men". He sang with Dinah Shore on television and made a hit record in Sweden.
His best friend was his former adversary in the ring, Floyd Patterson and they spent a lot of time together. During the 1990s, the pair attended many boxing conventions around the world where they also used to sign boxing memorabilia.
International Boxing Hall of Fame, 100 Greatest Punchers & Other Achievements
- In 2002, Johansson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of fame
- In 2003, the Ring Magazine named Johansson in the list of 100 greatest punchers of all time
-The Swedish Sport Academy named Johansson the country's third best sportsman of the last century after the tennis legend Bjorn Borg and skier Ingemar Stenmark
- He was the first European to win the world heavy weight title in 25 years and it was after another 25 years that world saw a non-American, South Africa's Gerrie Coetzee, winning the crown
