Floyd Patterson: Olympic Gold Medalist and Heavyweight Champion Dies at

Floyd Patterson was an American boxer and two-time world heavyweight champion. Born on January 4, 1935, in Waco, North Carolina, he grew up in Brooklyn and won the 1952 Olympic gold medal as a middleweight.

In 1956 he became the youngest heavyweight champion at 21 after knocking out Archie Moore. In 1960 he became the first heavyweight to regain the title, beating Ingemar Johansson. He lost twice to Sonny Liston and later fought Muhammad Ali.

Patterson served as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission in the 1990s. He died of Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer at his home in New Paltz, New York, on May 11, 2006, at age 71.

Achievements: Olympic gold medal (1952), heavyweight champion (1956-1959, 1960-1962).

Birth: January 4, 1935 - Waco, North Carolina.

Profession: Boxer.

Interesting Facts: He was the first Olympic gold medalist to win the heavyweight title.