According to the Associated Press, all-time great Floyd Patterson has died at the age of 71 from Alzheimer's disease. A true New Yorker, his contribution to the sport cannot be overstated as he participated successfully at every level of boxing. Patterson was an Olympic gold medalist in the middleweight division at the 1952 games.  Upon turning pro, he campaigned as an undersized but huge punching heavyweight who became the first man to hold the world heavyweight championship on two separate occasions. When Rocky Marciano retired, Patterson won the vacant title from Archie Moore. He was just 21 at the time, the youngest ever to clain the heavyweight throne until Mike Tyson duplicated the feat three decades later. He lost but regained the title in a series of three bouts with Ingemar Johansson highlighed by an unforgettable knockout that left Johannson's foot twitching as he lay unconscious on the canvas. Patterson, a disciple of th elegendary trainer Cus D'Amato, lost the championship for good to Sonny Liston, but remained a contender for years, losing twice to Muhammad Ali, but beating Oscar Bonavena and George Chuvalo, the latter being Ring Magazine's fight of the year. Patterson finished with a record of 55-8-1, and went on to train his adopted son to a world title and also serve as Commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission. Boxingtalk joins the entire sport in sending its condolences to Floyd's freinds and family.