A Champion's Smile . . .

Floyd Patterson vs Calvin Brad

Frank . . . My late friend, Karl Nelson, told me of seeing this bout, which was Patterson's L.A. debut.
I remember him saying that he was impressed with the speed and power of Floyd, who came out quick and put Brad on the deck twice, winning by KO in the first round.

I recall a dozen years later, seeing Patterson live for the first time myself, when he came to L.A. twice to fight Jerry Quarry.
Although a solid fan of my stablemate Jerry, I had always had a special respect for Patterson after reading his biography, "Victory Over Myself".
My grandfather drove me down to Santa Monica, where Patterson had set up training camp at the Surfrider Hotel.
I watched from a distance his every move. I didn't recognize his sparring partners, some from back east.
After his workout, my grandfather encouraged me to introduce myself to the former champ, but I declined.
I felt it would be disingenious, as I would be pulling for Jerry to KO him the following week. Stupid kid, huh?

I had just watched Sonny Liston workout a few months earlier at the Main Street Gym. Now Patterson. It couldn't be any better for me.
After Patterson had finished, he walked by, wiping his face with a small white towel.
I was standing right in front of him when he passed, and as he dropped the towel from his face, I looked into his eyes.
He glanced down at me, I rarely smiled at fighters and likely had my poker face on, however, when he smiled at me, I felt myself smile back.

It was just like what happened with Liston. Patterson had been serious during his workout, but acknowledged a kid with his only smile of that afternoon.
I was a serious kid, when it came to boxing and fighters. I wasn't a happy, smiling, easy going boy.

After Patterson passed by me, I was smiling the rest of the day.

Rick Farris