Memory Loss Afflicts Former Boxer

April 1, 1998 / 9:24 AM EST / AP

Former heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson suffers serious memory loss, unable to recall who he fought in 1956 to become heavyweight champion or how fights are regulated, the New York Post reported on Wednesday.

Patterson, upon learning the newspaper was going ahead with its report, decided to resign as head of the New York State Athletic Commission, which regulates boxing and wrestling. Governor George Pataki appointed him to the post in 1995.

The Post said a 3 and 1/2-hour videotape of a March 20 deposition shows that Patterson, 63, is unable to recall important events in his career and can't remember the names of his closest aides.

Patterson was asked dozens of questions under oath for a suit filed by the promoters of "ultimate fighting," a sport combining martial arts, boxing and street brawling that is banned in New York.

He could not recall that he beat Archie Moore to win the 1956 title fight, or that the fight was in Chicago. Patterson said he thought the bout was in New York. He also said he thought title fights are still 15 rounds instead of the current 12.

"I didn't get much sleep last night and I'm very, very tired," Patterson said during the deposition. "It's hard for me to think when I'm tired. ... Sometimes, I can't even remember my wife's name."

Many former boxers, from Sugar Ray Robinson to Muhammad Ali, have suffered from various forms of brain injuries or illnesses, or memory loss.

On Tuesday, NYSAC spokeswoman Gwen Lee said Patterson "has decided to resign." Lee told the Post that the decision was made after Patterson learned the newspaper was planning a story about the deposition.

The newspaper, citing unidentified sources, said Pataki's administration has tried to shield Patterson from public view. The Post said the administration wanted to block Patterson from being questioned, and has refused repeated media requests to interview him.

Patterson's pro boxing career lasted from 1952-72, and he finished 55-8-1. He was the first boxer to regain the heavyweight title, holding it from 1956-59 and from 1960-1962, when he was defeated by Sonny Liston.