Floyd Patterson, interesting quote

[SFW]

in "The Loser", part of Fame and Obscurity by Gay Talese, Floyd Patterson said some interesting things.

After leaving the country following his loss to Ingemar Johansson:
" You must wonder what makes a man do things like this. Well, I wonder too. And the answer is, I don't know... but I think that within me, within every human being, there is a certain weakness. It is a weakness that exposes itself more when you're alone. And I have figured out that part of the reason I do the things I do, and cannot seem to conquer that one word-myself- is because... is because... I am a coward. I am a coward, my fighting has little to do with that fact, though. I mean you can be a fighter- and a winning fighter- and still be a coward. I was probably a coward on the night I won the championship back from Ingemar."

What do you all take from these words?

[granberry]

Gibberish.

And why trust Gay Talese?

[HomicideHenry]

In short, he's preaching what Cus D'Amato taught him, that the difference between a hero and a coward is how they handle their fear---the hero prevails because he kept his fear in check, while the coward couldnt and thus fails---everyone has fear, only the great fighters know how to use that fear to protect themselves in the right ways.

[Goodnight, Irene]

in "The Loser", part of Fame and Obscurity by Gay Talese, Floyd Patterson said some interesting things.

After leaving the country following his loss to Ingemar Johansson:
" You must wonder what makes a man do things like this. Well, I wonder too. And the answer is, I don't know... but I think that within me, within every human being, there is a certain weakness. It is a weakness that exposes itself more when you're alone. And I have figured out that part of the reason I do the things I do, and cannot seem to conquer that one word-myself- is because... is because... I am a coward. I am a coward, my fighting has little to do with that fact, though. I mean you can be a fighter- and a winning fighter- and still be a coward. I was probably a coward on the night I won the championship back from Ingemar."

What do you all take from these words?

My suspicion is it is a man amplifying his own perceived weaknesses beyond reality, because he's surrounded by people & a sport so unforgiving of such short-comings. I think he is taking on some of Boxing's nature, whether real or contrived, & putting that cut-throat emphasis back on himself.

[jaclem2]

...benny leonard said that any boxer who went into a fight without having some fear would have a lot of losses on his record.

[Brutu]

In short, he's preaching what Cus D'Amato taught him, that the difference between a hero and a coward is how they handle their fear---the hero prevails because he kept his fear in check, while the coward couldnt and thus fails---everyone has fear, only the great fighters know how to use that fear to protect themselves in the right ways.

Sounds like Cus D'Amato must have had a copy of the book
THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE
by Stephen Crane(orginally published in 1895)
in his personal library.lol

[jaclem2]

...obviously i am a brave man because i am afraid of nearly everything but i go about my life every day in spite of it.

[ThatOne]

Fear is a primary emotion. How you handle that fear defines you.

[jayc]

I personally think D'Amato was the worst possible choice of trainer for Patterson. His reflections and beliefs were very, very outlandish. If you look at two fighters he moulded from a very young age both had very, very big self-belief and confidence issues. (Tyson & Floyd)

[Robinson]

Fear of losing or performance anxiety is different to
fear of personal injury and harm. Fighters and athletes
get this fear. When they are talking about Fear, this
is often what they mean.

Unless you feel it you can not appreciate it. patterson
discusses fear often, as did Tyson, this seems to be
because Damato is a big believer in 'fear' as a motivator.

Patterson always struck me as a man with personal demons,
and thinking yourself a 'coward' because you did not give
your all, or because at some point during a fight you may
have given up on yourself during it is a very personal thing
and does happen, win or lose. That often leads a fighter
to believe that they are a coward. It is seldom discussed
and when it is people, those who do not know it, really
mis interupt it as a general fear or frightened state.

Patterson proved one thing.... regardless of what his emotions
were doing inside, he went out for 20 odd years and
fought some of the best, and did himself justice as a brave
and entertaining warrior of the ring.

[ThatOne]

I personally think D'Amato was the worst possible choice of trainer for Patterson. His reflections and beliefs were very, very outlandish. If you look at two fighters he moulded from a very young age both had very, very big self-belief and confidence issues. (Tyson & Floyd)

After his loss to Liston or Ali (I can't remember), his friend Frank Sinatra wouldn't even look at him.

That's cold.

[Robinson]

Yeah but what sort of friend is that. Celebrities like that are
fickle and are status based.

[ThatOne]

Yeah but what sort of friend is that. Celebrities like that are
fickle and are status based.

I agree. Sinatra should have got in the ring with them.

The pressure on Patterson who I admire greatly to beat Liston and Ali was enormous.

[jaclem2]

robinson's post on fear is excellent.

re:sinatra and patterson.....sinatra was angry with patterson not for losing, but for hiding when he did. sinatra thought a person should face the public and not let people's opinion of him make him feel like a disgrace.....win or lose one should keep one's pride.


(please do not start any sinatra posts.i will know more about him than anyone here and it would be tedious for me to respond.)