Cus D'Amato

Constantine "Cus" D'Amato (January 17, 1908 – November 4, 1985) was an American boxing trainer. He trained two of boxing heavyweight champions, Mike Tyson and Floyd Patterson.

He once said, "The hero and the coward both feel the same thing, but the hero uses his fear, projects it onto his opponent, while the coward runs. It's the same thing, fear, but it's what you do with it that matters."

Early Life

Cus D'Amato was born in 1908 in Bronx, New York to an Italian family of immigrants. He was one of eight brothers. In his childhood he wanted to become a boxer like his big brother Jerry. However, at 12 years old he took part in a fight and became blind in one eye.

Career

D'Amato's love for boxing was so strong that the sport became a very important part of his life. He trained three champions although he never boxed himself.

Death

He died in 1985 (age 77) after an inflammation of the lungs.

Cus D'Amato Media

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  D'Amato and Patterson in 1957

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  D'Amato and Patterson in 1961