Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Ingemar Johansson
Ingemar Johansson
Obituary
Guest Book
Ingemar Johansson Obituary
Johansson died at a nursing home in Kungsbacka on the Swedish west coast, said Stig Caldeborn, a close friend who sparred with Johansson when they were in their teens.
Caldeborn said he didn't know the cause of death but told The Associated Press that Johansson had recently returned to the nursing home after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
Johansson's daughter, Maria Gregner, told Swedish news agency TT that the former champion died just before midnight Friday.
Johansson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia more than 10 years ago, when he lived in Stockholm. He spent the rest of his life in Kungsbacka, only a few miles from the house where he grew up.
Johansson knocked out Patterson in the third round at Yankee Stadium on June 26, 1959, to win the heavyweight title. He floored the American seven times in the third round before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight 2:03 into it.
Back home, hundreds of thousands of Swedes listened to the live radio broadcast at 3 a.m. as Johansson became only the fifth heavyweight champion born outside the United States. His feat earned him The Associated Press' Male Athlete of the Year in 1959, only the second Swede to win the award.
Patterson avenged the upset loss a year later in the rematch in New York, knocking Johansson out in the fifth round. In March 1961, the Swede floored Patterson twice in Miami before being knocked out in the sixth round of the rubber match.
Johansson had four more fights — all wins, one of them a knockout of England's Dick Richardson for the European title in 1962 — before retiring the following year.
Johansson was married and divorced twice, and is also survived by five children. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
38 Entries
robert blake
September 11, 2020
I picked him to beat patterson in the first fight. what a night! I remember Sports Iiiustrated doing about 10 pages on the big fight and calling the KO. A straight right hand that put Patterson away.
Claudia Prenner
June 10, 2020
Claudia Prenner
June 10, 2020
Claudia Prenner
June 10, 2020
Hello from Cologne,
my grandma says to me before she died we have family in sweden. A man hies Ingemar and was a boxer. Ingemar, Oke, Erik an Maria visit us 1950 in Cologne. Do you now the people of the pictueres?
good by
How you can show support
Jesse Mota
June 8, 2019
You are a great champion.
Ingo & me (1960)
Steve Gluck
December 19, 2014
January 30, 2014
Being a huge fan of the sport I would of loved to see him perform in person. Also those fighters of the 50,s & 60,s,70,s,80,s and the 90,s as well fought for the love of the sport. Brian W. Howard.
Scott
December 27, 2009
It was said he was my great grandfather's younger brother. I seen the obit played on 'CBS This Morning' today, and didn't know he passed away this year. R.I.P.
Per Wiren
June 26, 2009
I dag for femtio ar sen blev du Ingemar min stora idol. 26 JUNI 1959, Jag var da 12 ar, i dag 62 ar. Glommer aldrig den natten. Tack Ingemar Ingo Johansson, The CHAMP
Uuno Kanto
March 27, 2009
March 27, 09
I really liked Ingemar Johansson.
I saw his movie "All The Young Men" with Alan Ladd.
Ingemar and Rocy Marciano have always been my favorite fighters.
I wish they had a book about Ingemar Johannson.
Carl Ingemar Johansson
February 12, 2009
I was born just after Ingemar's winning match for the title thus my Dad named me Ingemar (family lastname is also Johansson). After Ingemar lost the rematch, my Dad lost a small fortune and was mad enough to change my first name to Carl, Ingemar became my middle name. Too young to remember the rematches but it had an impact on my first and middle names. LOL. Rest in peace.
Louise Trapp
February 6, 2009
I was a 15 year old and at my grandparents home when he won the title in '59. My uncles were there and we all were excited. What a wonderful man and fighter. The world misses you.
Susan Bryan
February 5, 2009
I, like many others who have signed this book, found a smile on my face at the photo and name, Ingemar Johannsson. I have pleasant memories of watching the fights as a young girl with my dad on a small black and white TV. Ingemar Johannsson's name is a legend - he was indeed a great boxer.
Blessings to his family and friends.
David Wiggins
February 4, 2009
I was 15 yrs old in 1959. I watched that great fight, You will be missed Champ
A Fan
Terry Jones
February 4, 2009
May God rest your soul
Michael Hinderlie
February 4, 2009
Rest in peace champ!
mike trent
February 4, 2009
rest in peace champ. you were my favorite boxer when i was a teen. i listened to the first patterson fight on the radio. i was so excited when you landed the big right. bless you family.
GINGER ANN BLACK
February 3, 2009
God Bless you Ingemar...You were a honorable man...and a dammed good fighter. I can still remember watching your fights with my father. There are a few memories I have about my dad...watching you fight was the one of the most memorable...I did not know until recently that he was a fighter in the US Navy. God Bless you Ingemar
Anna Cole
February 3, 2009
To your family - your father was a great sports hero in an era where class and sportsmanship meant something. Just the mention of his name brought back some wonderful memories. Here's to you, Mr. Johansson; rest in peace and thank you for being a part of my childhood.
BRENDA HAMILTON
February 3, 2009
This brings a favorite childhood pastime to mind, watching "the prize fights" on a tiny black & white screen with my grandfather. Ingemar Johansson was one of our favorites. Rest in Peace.
Mike O' Callaghan
February 3, 2009
God speed old champ and that famous right hand known as ' bingo; thanks for the memories
Mikael Krahner
February 3, 2009
Ingemar Johansson was one of the greatest sportsmen Sweden has ever had the luxury of calling their own. In a land of few, his achievements stood out like a bright star, as did his good demeanor.
You will be greatly missed.
Patty Schoen-Jones
February 2, 2009
Another bright star shining in the sky!
LEE BALSAMO
February 2, 2009
REST IN PEACE CHAMP.
SHEILA SMITH
February 2, 2009
Rest in Peace Ingemar.
D.ZIMMERMAN
February 1, 2009
REST IN PEACE INGEMAR JOHANSSON
Carla Meert
February 1, 2009
I'm very sorry to hear of his passing. Growing up we watched him fight and I was told that I was a distant cousin of his, which as kids gave us wonderful bragging rights. May he rest in peace.
Harry Simpson
February 1, 2009
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
V.Faye Becker
February 1, 2009
I watched boxing matches with my father years ago. I remember this particular bout in 1959. This man was a great boxer and contributed much to the sport. My condolencs to the family.
Henryk Zaleski
February 1, 2009
Rest in peace with other champions but, there were none like you. May God smile upon you.
Dennis Tabella
February 1, 2009
When you and Floyd Patterson had your first bout in 1959, it was one of the few times in boxing history that the sport had two gentlemen in the ring at the same time. May you rest in peace, Ingemar.
Catherine
January 31, 2009
My Condolences to the Family.
Ingemar was a fantastic champion,I was very young and saw the fight with Patterson. Mr. Johansson was a fine human being, which is really the most important.
May he rest in the Arms of the Lord and his family find solace, knowing that he is at rest.
Catherine
Mrs. Thomas Smith
January 31, 2009
Family members,
You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. Ingemar Johansson had a fine career in boxing and became a champion in his boxing and as a fine person to many. God cares deeply for all those we have lost. He promises a resurrection of all those in the memorial tombs at John 5:28. His words bring us comfort and give us hope.
louise wisinski
January 31, 2009
Back when boxing was a sport and not just a money-maker, you were my favorite. Rest in Peace.
JHart
January 31, 2009
to the family of Ingemar,
May our Heavenly Father, the God of tender mercies and comfort be with all of you during this sad time. (2 Corinthians 1:4) With deep sympathy
louis carwell
January 31, 2009
Rest in peace Ingemar Johansson.
Showing 1 - 38 of 38 results
Make a Donation
in Ingemar Johansson's name
How to support Ingemar's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ingemar Johansson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored