Emanuel Steward's family denies reports that the Hall of Fame boxing trainer has passed away, in a report at ABC-7 Detroit:
"You can tell folks that he is alive and being treated by some of the best experts in the world. The Steward family is dismayed and greatly disheartened and disappointed that during this personally challenging time, people would callously and thoughtlessly run wild with untrue statements in order to garner their '15 minutes of fame.'"
Steward, 68, has reportedly been suffering from diverticulitis, but there have also been reports that it was cancer that had him ailing. The family has always said the former, and they are now saying that despite reports of his passing, he is still alive as of this morning.
K2 Promotions also requested that BoxingScene.com remove an earlier official statement form Wladimir, which was posted to Facebook and then shortly after, taken down. Many sites ran with it, but BoxingScene.com tweeted about being asked to remove the statement:
I just received an email from K2 Promotions, they asked us to remove Wladimir's statement on Steward. They said "The passing of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward is not yet confirmed." And they also wrote "Could you please delete the news as well as Wladimir’s statement until further notice"
I don't think anyone in the world likes to be wrong about anything, but here's hoping all the reports have been wrong so far, and that Emanuel is with us and makes a comeback.
Bad Left Hook again sends our best wishes to the family, loved ones, and friends of Mr. Steward at this time.