Book description
In 1956, at age 21, Floyd Patterson became the youngest boxer to win
the title of world heavyweight champion and then, later, the first
ever to lose and regain it.
Here, acclaimed author W. K. Stratton chronicles the life of 'The
Gentle Gladiator' - an athlete overshadowed by Ali's theatrics and
Liston's fearsome reputation, and a civil rights activist overlooked
in the who's who of race politics. From the Gramercy Gym and wild-card
manager Cus D'Amato to a final rematch against Ali in 1972,
Patterson's career spanned boxing's Golden Age and included an Olympic
gold medal.
This powerful tribute to an invisible champion who fought his way to
the top of a knockdown world, carrying many of the hopes and fears of
the battle for civil rights, draws upon interviews with the fighter's
friends and boxing contemporaries to provide the definitive account of
his remarkable life and career.
W. K. Stratton is the author of
Backyard Brawl
,
Chas
Â
ing the Rodeo
and
Boxing Shadows
. He has written for many publications, including
GQ
,
Sports Illus
Â
trated
and
Outside
. A long-time student of boxing, Stratton trains at a gym alongside top
professionals and amateurs.
