Floyd Patterson was a two-time heavyweight boxing champion. He was born in Waco, North Carolina in 1935 and began his professional career in 1952. He won the world heavyweight title in 1956 and successfully defended it twice before losing it to Ingemar Johansson in 1959. He regained the title in 1960 and held it until 1962 when he was defeated by Sonny Liston. He retired from boxing in 1972 with a record of 55 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw.