It's a sad day in the world of boxing. Emanuel Steward, the legendary boxing trainer from Detroit who trained the likes of Hilmer Kenty, Tommy Hearns, and Milton McCrory and helped turn them into world champions, has reportedly passed away at the age of 68. He had been hospitalized last month after undergoing surgery for a stomach disorder called diverticulitis and had taken a leave of absence from training recently to deal with his health issues.
"Boxing has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Emanuel Steward," Wladimir Klitschko, who trained with Steward recently, said in a statement.
During his storied career, the Hall of Fame trainer helped lead a number of amateur boxers to success at the Kronk Gym in Detroit. He guided several boxers to world titles. He played a role in the careers of boxers like Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Miguel Cotto, Lennox Lewis, and Julio Cesar Chavez at one time or another. And, he also served as a boxing analyst for HBO.
R.I.P. Boxing lost a good man today.
[via Detroit Free Press]
