D'Amato is a celebrated figure within the boxing fraternity who was not only seen as a trainer and manager to "Iron" Mike but also as a father figure.
Constantine D'Amato was an American trainer and manager to some of boxing's greatest fighters in "Iron" Mike Tyson, Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres.
D'Amato has received critical acclaim for his work in the sport and is regarded as one of the greatest trainers of all time. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame by Tyson in 1995.
The trainer was born into an Italian-American family in New York and grew up as one of five brothers in his family. D'Amato initially learned how to fight on the streets, much like Freddie Roach before having a short and brief boxing career at featherweight and lightweight and then opening his own boxing club called Gramercy Gym in 1939.
D'Amato began learning his trade by working with Patterson after spotting his Olympic success at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. Working together, the 'Gentleman of Boxing' went on to become world heavyweight champion in 1956.
Patterson reigned as world champion until his defeat to Sonny Liston in 1962. D'Amato is best known for training Tyson - one of the most iconic heavyweight fighters in the history of the division.
Moving to Catskill Gym, D'Amato trained Tyson until he passed away from pneumonia in November 1985. The fighter won his first world championship the following year after beating Trevor Berbick, dedicating his belt to his 'father figure' D'Amato.
Tyson's hugely successful, and controversial career, ended in 2005 following back-to-back defeats. He had a record of 50-6 (44 KOs) in a career that spanned three decades. "Iron" Mike has regularly said that he owes much of his success to the late D'Amato.
Mike Tyson 2019
The New Yorker was heavily influential in the creation of the peek-a-boo fighting style. His influence was obvious on all of his fighters with all of them performing the technique to their advantage in fights.
The style involves defensive positioning where the hands are kept close to the face and the arms are folded to the torso. It aims to provide extra protection from an opponent's punch whilst also landing a jab to the opponent's face easier.
Although the style was largely successful for D'Amato's fighters, it was criticised by others in the sport who believed that an effective attack could not be launched from it.
Moving gyms and success as trainer
Close relationship with Mike Tyson
Legacy
Awards, accomplishments and film
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