Aug. 8, 1962 - Floyd Patterson (pictured) disclosed today he was strengthening his jaw in preparation for his heavyweight title defense against Sonny Liston in Chicago on Sept. 25. “For the first time in my career, I am using ‘bridging’ exercises to strengthen my neck muscles, which help absorb the shock of a punch,” the champion said at his training camp in Highland Mills, N.Y. Patterson said the strengthening program resulted from his pride rather than fear of being knocked out by Liston. “I just don’t like to go down any time I’m hit when slightly off balance,” he said. “I want to stay on my feet this fight.” Also as part of his toughening-up campaign, Floyd said he would begin using more burly sparring partners who are built like Liston.
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