Sunday, 22 December 2024

    Cus D’Amato

    • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
    • Sport(s): Boxing
    • Statistics: Member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
    • Many coaches are considered father figures, but Cus D’Amato took that to a higher level.

      D'Amato first became known in boxing circles for his work with Floyd Patterson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world at age 21. It was an incredible achievement and one that would not be broken until another one of his pupils would do so decades later. D'Amato would also mentor Jose Torres to the light heavyweight championship.

      That was an impressive career, and D'Amato retreated back to the Catskills' content to run a small gym. He was introduced to a teenage Mike Tyson, who he would train and later adopt. D'Amato died a year before Tyson broke Patterson's mark as the youngest heavyweight champion.

      D'Amato was also a teacher of teachers, as Kevin Rooney and Teddy Atlas, two successful trainers, learned under D'Amato.

      We are proud to nominate Cus D’Amato for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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