Book Review: Floyd Patterson The Fighting Life Of Boxing’s Invisible Champion

By Jim Amato

On a recent trip to Texas I stumbled across a book titled “Floyd Patterson: The Fighting Life Of Boxing’s Invisible Champion”. I must say that I was not aware of this book written by W.K. Stratton and published in 2012. I have read many things on Patterson over the years. In fact the first boxing book I ever read was Patterson’s “Victory Over Myself” way back when I was in grade school. I figured there could not be much more on Floyd then I have already read. I was wrong.

The author did an outstanding job in giving the reader a much deeper perspective of Patterson as a fighter and a man. Over the years the accomplishments of Patterson have been greatly diminished. He is mostly remembered today as the boxer who suffered back to back one round knockout losses to the feared Charles “Sonny” Liston. This is such a shame because Floyd was an extremely talented fighter who remained a relevant mainstay in the heavyweight rankings for fifteen years.

The author takes us from Patterson’s humble beginnings to the height of his popularity. Floyd’s life was a true rags to riches saga. The great victories and the shattering defeats that Patterson had to cope with. Floyd’s hot and cold relationship with manager and mentor Cus D’Amato are also brought to light. Mr. Stratton also shows Patterson as a complicated man but a good man. Floyd was a person of morals and integrity who stood by his beliefs.

I found this to be a surprisingly pleasant book. Hats off to W.K. Stratton and his fine work. I highly recommend this book. It was published by Houghton Miller Harcourt.

Purchase the book here.