Evening star., 1961-03-01
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS STANN
The Man Without O Fiqhter


MIAMI BEACH, Mar. Floyd Patterson training for
his March 13 title defense against Ingemar Johansson,
works in the foreground and Constantine (Cus) DAmato
In the background.
This is that odd hard bad man who led Patterson to
the top of his profession spoke for him. thought for him.
overly protected him.
DAmato was a blatant voice on the boxing He
hated Jim Norris and his old international Boxing Club
his skirts weren't Clean Gus diScredted by the
New York Athletic Commission
He wears most of the time, black outfit from his
hoburg his shoes He doesn't show up often as his
protege prepares for the rubber match with Johansson
There no longer is any need him. Patterson beatedy
has discovered and when DAmato is on the scene he
stays far away.
THEY HAVE BEEN together as manager and fighter
since Floyd H. Always, DAmato has held the boys
hand Such relationship would have won paudits ex-
cept that Gus with great record as manager became
q harsh, bitter Snper -
He hated boxing commissions. newspapermen, politi
clans who were investigating the brutal sport and,
seemed, any fighter who threat to Patterson He
ran some of the rankest matches perperaed Out OF
the clear blue he up with Pete Rademacher Roy
Harris and Brian London as "contenderS."
Some of the "contenderS foored Patterson exposing
him as a champion who hadn't championed anybody OF
Importance 1t only the assurance OF Dan Floro
that he gave Johansson his first title shot
THE guys amateur" Floro reported "Dont
worry about that -rounder Edde) Machen He's
amateur"
JOHANSSON, THE MAL1GNED amateur" who belted
out Machen in Sweden oored Patterson seven times and
won the title He only landed authentic blow-a right
between the eyes in the third round The rest of the time
he dubbed at his stricken, dazed foe.
That was the last time Pattersons hand was held by
DAmato In the dressing at Yankee Stadium they
gave the two Of 'em-Patterson and DAmato-a locker
which bore the magic adhesive label OF Mickey Mantle
JohanSson bulled his way into the room.
II Just want to see If you are hurt, Floyd, he said
"Ill answer that question:" DAmato said. Hes not
hurt"
"FIoyd?" Johansson explored. "You all right boy?"
I'm fine, Ingemar' he said.
But that it says here the end Of the great alliance
between Patterson and DAmao After that boy led and
he held the hand of his tutor
packed all of that toonder and lightning" in his right
hand, DAmato wasn't in his He persona
grata not only unoffcay but officially The boxing
mission wouldn't let him in the corner.
Gus sat close to the ring but Patterson for the first
time in his hfe his And he never good.
He took Johansson bockbuer the head and refused
to leave his feet Then he threw his bombs and
Johansson went down and out few major fighters in
history
At "a years of age Patterson became the first heavy
weight in history to regain the title He made people for
get his weak efforts against the Harises and
Londons He became a man while Gus DAmato was on
the sidelines.
DAmato remains the Sidelnes. Patterson is
ming the show. He says whom he'll box and how many
rounds When he holds press conference there is
DAmato near at hand
Gus sits in the distance, scowling, bitter man. He
speaks well of Patterson 1--WE still walk together he says
If he'd been nicer guy when he rode on top you'd
feel sorry for him. Even now you do.