Floyd Patterson, who was the heavyweight boxing champion when people cared about such things, began to talk about himself in a way he never had before when he started losing. What followed his two knockouts by Sonny Liston was hurt—“a confused hurt—not a physical hurt.” It was the hurt of having to leave the ring “and face those people.” Imagine, Floyd Patterson purchased false whiskers and a mustache to wear as a disguise. Yes, Floyd Patterson, as fearsome as any boxer ever, considered himself a coward. Patterson revealed...

Source: Wall Street Journal August 27, 2020 22:41 UTC