Floyd Patterson vs Sonny Liston I

After the third Johansson fight, Patterson defended the title on December 4, 1961 against Tom McNeeley and retained the title with a fourth-round knockout. However he did not fight number one contender Sonny Liston. This was due in part to Cus D’Amato, who did not want Patterson in the ring with a boxer with mob connections. As a result, D’Amato turned down any challenges involving the IBC. Eventually, due to a monetary dispute with Jimmy Jacobs, Patterson removed D’Amato from handling his business affairs