Floyd Patterson 

- After “Loser: The Most Honest Sports Story Ever Written” by Gay Talese

​

I boxed a boy; I beat him. 

All I wanted was to

get past the first round.

 

I boxed another boy.

I beat him. I

smiled at him,

at them all.

No one smiled back.

It’s okay to be the good guy when you’re winning.

 

Sonny Liston hit me. 

I hit the floor,

felt for a trapdoor in the ring

to fall through, felt

everybody circle me, 

like a family, blew

a kiss I can’t remember. 

We’ll see what you’re like when someone beats you. 

 

I boxed Sonny in another ring. 

He beat me.

All I wanted was to

get past the crowd

into my car. I wore a fake

moustache. I went to Madrid,

ate soup, began to believe

I could be somebody else.

 

I learned to fly. 

I learned to check the screws

someone would loosen 

if they wanted you to fall

A guy like me, who smiles, has no business losing.