Was Cus D Amato too over protective of his fighters? Floyd Patterson.

Was Cus D Amato too over protective of his fighters? Floyd Patterson for example. The problem with this is that the fighters become too co dependent. It is like an overbearing parent, not letting the child to grow up.

 

He did, very true. But look at other fighters, Muhammad Ali for example, he did just fine in the Jimmy Ellis bout in 1971, Dundee was in Ellis's corner, Ali had Harry Wiley. Some experienced fighters know instinctively what to do. Being overprotective stunts growth, having a good manager helps, but your opinion is greatly respected.

 

It is though the overprotected fighter cannot grow on his own without that trainer, you probably have see this happen, so have I. A fighter cannot have his hand held forever. Others have suceeded with various trainers, namely Larry Holmes, Richie Giachetti, Ray Arcel, and Eddie Futch, it sometimes is best for mental and physical growth.

 

It is my opinion for the fighters with a fragile psych it is best to recruit the help of a good therapist to be on the team. Ken Norton sought the help of a licensed Therapist prior to his first bout against Muhammad Ali for Hypnosis sessions.

 

Because a mentally fragile individual can be greatly damaged by a fighter who uses psychological warfare against them. I remember in the first Ali vs Floyd Patterson fight, Ali called Floyd the Rabbit. He toyed, talked and teased him during the first round, making noises at Floyd when he connected on him. Better boxing fundamentals did not help him. Only a guy like Frazier could take this type of warfare, he was not sheltered as a child.

 

I know, because after his loss to Ingo in 1959, he donned the fake beard.

 

He did but what about beyond that? By doing that he is essentially taking his fighter by the hand, mollycoddling him. He will be no good as a fighter later and as a person he might as well be sucking his thumb, talking like an infant. It is good to be a good trainer but essentially you are ruining a fighter. What happens let say to that fighter if the trainer is ill and cannot be with him, and he has to go against a really talented fighter, that fighter will freeze, too well protected. Co dependency at it's best. Remember the fictional Rocky III movie, Mickey overprotected Rocky from good opponents, Clubber Lang destroyed him.