Madam, - Tom Humphries, in his excellent tribute to the late Floyd Patterson (Sports, May 15th) hinted at the boxer's caring nature. Permit me to expand a little on this aspect of the former heavyweight champion's personality.
It was my privilege to have known Floyd Patterson, whom I first encountered on one of his many visits to Dublin in 1978. He invited me to New York to speak to some friends of his who, like Floyd, wanted to alleviate the suffering of "drop-outs" and "street dwellers" in the poorest sections of New York city.
Floyd also cared deeply for the deprived of Africa and had no hesitation in parting with the gloves he wore when he surrendered his heavyweight crown to Sonny Liston for the inaugural Goal auction of sporting memorabilia in late 1978.
He was a true champion in every sense. - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'SHEA, Goal, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.