Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 765 › Conversation 765-021

Nixon & Bull on Floyd Patterson and Sugar Ray Robinson

Tuesday, August 8, 1972 · 12:24 PM–12:26 PM ET · Oval Office · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.; White House operatorConversation765-021 on Tape 765StartTuesday, August 8, 1972 at 12:24 PMEndTuesday, August 8, 1972 at 12:26 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 765-021 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield to discuss the physical stature of boxer Floyd Patterson following a previous encounter with Sugar Ray Robinson. The group briefly assessed Patterson's size before transitioning into administrative matters, specifically reviewing H.R. Haldeman's upcoming travel schedule to Andrews Air Force Base and Camp David. The brief exchange concluded with the departure of Bull and Butterfield.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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He doesn't look that big.
Oh, he looks like about 165.
He's so solid.
Sugar Ray Robinson.
Two years ago, we met.
Thank you.
Oh, yes.

NARA Description

On August 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:24 pm to 12:26 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 765-021 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 765-21

Date: August 8, 1972
Time: 12:24 pm - 12:26 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull.

       Floyd Patterson
            -Size
            -The President’s previous meeting with Sugar Ray Robinson

The President talked to the White House operator at an unknown time between 12:24 pm and
12:26 pm.

[Conversation No. 765-21A]

[See Conversation No. 29-43]

[End of telephone conversation]

       H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s schedule
             -Andrews Air Force Base

             -Camp David

Butterfield and Bull left at 12:26 pm.

Also recorded on August 8, 1972

  • 765-020 12:17 PM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Floyd Patterson, Mrs. Floyd Patterson, Janene Patterson, Jennifer Patterson, Henry C. Cashen, II, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:17 pm to 12:24 pm.
  • 029-043 12:24 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:24 pm and 12:26 pm.
  • 029-044 12:26 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone from 12:26 pm to 12:27 pm.
  • 765-022 12:26 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:26 pm to 12:27 pm.
  • 765-023 12:27 PM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:27 pm and 12:31 pm.
  • 765-024 12:27 PM · 27 sec — United States Secret Service agents and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:27 pm and 5:16 pm.
  • 765-027 12:27 PM · 28 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:27 pm and 12:31 pm.
  • 029-045 12:31 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:31 pm and 12:37 pm.

All 79 conversations from August 8, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 765-021, August 8, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/765-021 (accessed October 9, 2026).