Ingemar Johansson(1932-2009)
- Actor
Handsome and charming, Ingemar Johansson was one of Heavyweight
Boxing's most exciting and colorful champions. Born in Sweden on
September 22, 1932, Johannsson discovered at a young age that he had
"thunder" in his hands, and entered amateur boxing. As a member of the
European Amateur Boxing Team, he competed in Chicago against the
American Team in 1951, and knocked out Ernest Fann in two rounds. At
the 1951 Olympic Games, Ingemar represented Sweden, but was criticized
in losing by disqualification to America's Ed Sanders. Upon retuning
home, Johansson retired from amateur boxing with a record of 60-11 and
turned professional. At almost 6 feet 2 inches tall and a lean 195
pounds, he excelled in pro boxing. He won the Scandinavinian
Heavyweight Title in 1953 and the Europen Championship in 1958. In
1958, Ingemar shocked the boxing world by knocking out number one
contender and undefeated Eddie Machen in the first round. On June 26,
1959, he KO'd World Champ Floyd Patterson to win the title. His good
looks earned him a part in the 1960 film, All The Young Men starring
Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier. A year later Johansson was knocked cold
by Patterson in the rematch. He retired in 1963 with a 26-2 record. In
1969 he attempted a comeback,but at 37 and weighing over 250 pounds, it
never got off the ground.
