Don McAteer

Name: Don McAteer
Birth Name: Mickey McAteer
Hometown: Paterson, New Jersey, USA
Died: 2021-03-20 (Age:86)
Stance: Orthodox
Pro Boxer: Record

Don McAteer was born in Paterson, April 4, 1934. Began training at the age of 12. Entered the Diamond Gloves at the age of 14, in 1949. Winning the Championship 112 lbs. novice class.

Quit boxing after that, returned three years later as a middle weight. Turning pro in 1952. First fight Laurel Gardens in Newark. Fought Jack Downing from Boston KO’d him in the first round. That was the beginning of his boxing Career. First big upset in St. Nick’s Arena KO’d Gary Garafola in the 5th round, 1956. Fought the light heavyweight champ of Canada Burke Emary, in Madison Square Garden which he won by decision.

Had the opportunity to train and box with such great fighters. Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, Ingemar Johansson, Joe Blackwood, Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier, & Bert DeWitt.

Was as assigned to box men such as Doug Jones, Jerry Quarry, Henry Cooper & Tod Spencer which never materialized.

But did box fighters such as Frank DePaula twice, Mike DeJohn, Tom McNeeley and fought Chuck Wepner for the New Jersey State Heavyweight Title back in 1967.

His pro career was 1952 thru 1969. He was Inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame on November 14, 1996.

Retired at the age of 35.