Bad Left Hook - Emanuel Steward passes away at age 68Global Boxing News and Commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47131/backingthepack-fave.png2012-10-25T20:08:14-04:00http://www.badlefthook.com/rss/stream/33180552012-10-25T20:08:14-04:002012-10-25T20:08:14-04:00Lewis: 'We've lost one of boxing's crown jewels'
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<figcaption>John Gichigi/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lennox Lewis, who was trained by Emanuel Steward at the height of his great career, shares his thoughts on the late Emanuel Steward.</p> <p>Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was one of the many great fighters Emanuel Steward worked with over the years, and like the rest of the boxing world, is devastated by the news of Steward's passing.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://lennoxlewis.com/news/lennoxs-statement-on-the-death-of-emanuel-steward/">Here's his statement on the passing of his friend and trainer</a>:</p>
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<p>I'm completely devastated by the passing of my long time friend, mentor and trainer Emanuel "Manny" Steward. Manny has helped me get through some of the biggest fights in my career and I only regret that I couldn't return the favour and see him through his biggest fight.</p>
<p>We've maintained a close relationship and the last time we spoke he seemed his usual upbeat self so it was very disturbing to hear about his illness and rapid decline. It is with a heavy heart that realization of what I hoped were just rumors are now in fact true. Manny always told me I was the best, but the truth is, HE was the best and I'm grateful, privileged and honoured to be counted among his many historic successes.</p>
<p>This has been a very tragic year for the boxing world, but today we've truly lost one of its crown jewels. Manny was giving, selfless, compassionate and stern. He always gave back to the community and never forgot where he came from. He was an institution unto himself and I'm proud to have had him in my corner for so many years.</p>
<p>I'm extremely grateful for the time that I was given with him and he will be severely missed by all who knew and loved him. I'll miss his smile, his frank no holds barred truthfulness and our discussions on boxing and life. My prayers and condolences go out to his family at this very difficult time.</p>
<p>-Lennox Lewis</p>
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https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3556418/lennox-lewis-statement-emanuel-steward-death-boxing-newsBad Left Hook2012-10-25T18:17:57-04:002012-10-25T18:17:57-04:00Lampley, Arum, Roach and more on Steward
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/boxing--emanuel-steward--renown-boxing-trainer-analyst--leaves-indelible-mark-on-sport.html">Jim Lampley</a>:</p>
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<p>"He's going to be most known as one of the greatest trainers in the history of the sport. That's the central element of his identity. He's my best friend and it's on a personal level I have the most appreciation for him. But he is the man who groomed Thomas Hearns and who built an iconic inner city gym in the working class capital of America.</p>
<p>"What tells you a lot about the man he was is that he made a tremendous mark in his early days training what one would think was his natural constituency, black American fighters in the middle weight classes. But then he moved on and trained an English heavyweight champion, a Ukrainian heavyweight champion and an Irish middleweight. He was just spectacular."</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.toprank.com/news/boxing-promotions-rip-steward">Bob Arum and Top Rank</a>:</p>
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<p>"We are all grieving the passing of our friend Emanuel Steward. His founding and leadership of the Kronk Gym in Detroit was outstanding. His efforts produced many world class fighters and champions including Tommy Hearns, Milt McCrory, Michael Moorer and many more.</p>
<p>"Emanuel Steward always stood for the best that boxing could offer. He will be missed by all of us."</p>
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<p><b>Oscar De La Hoya</b>:</p>
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<p>"It brings me great grief and sadness to hear of the passing of one of the best and most respected trainers of this era, Emanuel Steward.</p>
<p>"I learned a lot from him during our professional relationship and I will be forever grateful for his help during that time.</p>
<p>"We were also friends and I know I am going to miss him as so many others will too. He was an important part of our boxing community."</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/FreddieRoach/status/261585640641146882">Freddie Roach</a>:</p>
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<p>"Emanuel Steward passing today is biggest loss to boxing in long time. He'll be greatly missed. My thoughts prayers are with his family."</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto/status/261591858063495169">Miguel Cotto</a>:</p>
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<p>"Emanuel thank you for giving it all for our sport and for giving me your great advice. We enjoyed those days! You will always be in my mind"</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/175527-emanuel-steward-1944-2012">Sugar Ray Leonard</a>:</p>
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<p>"(His death) is devastating. Thank God I had the chance to see him in Las Vegas at the WBC boxing convention. We got a chance to talk a little bit. I had heard that he was sick, but Manny is such a fighter himself that he can put on this front. Besides looking a little smaller and a little thinner, he looked pretty good. But I don't think about those times when I saw him like that. I think about the good times that we had together."</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/175527-emanuel-steward-1944-2012">Lou DiBella</a>:</p>
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<p>"He was a giant in our business. He was the greatest teacher of his generation and a great ambassador for the sport. As long as there's boxing, no one will forget Emanuel Steward."</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/175527-emanuel-steward-1944-2012">Virgil Hunter</a>:</p>
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<p>"I knew Manny personally, and we went back to the amateur days. I can say this in confidence: In my mind, Manny was the best trainer ever in boxing. The reason why I say that is that he could develop his products and he was a great diamond finisher. But he raised them. He didn't have to give an explanation to why he was able to finish up a diamond that somebody else had mined. That's because he had mined so many of them himself."</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/SHOsports/status/261584450553540608">Showtime Sports</a>:</p>
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<p>"Sad to hear of the passing of Emanuel Steward. May he rest in peace."</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/GarciaBoxing/status/261585792525299714">Robert Garcia</a>:</p>
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<p>"Really sorry to hear of the passing of a great person, one of the best trainers ever. RIP Emanuel Steward!!!!"</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/boxingbooth/status/261589922429947904">Adam Booth</a>:</p>
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<p>"Emanuel Steward R.I.P So much more than a coach.You educated the Boxing World. Our sport will not be the same now that you have passed!"</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/8551612/emanuel-steward-famed-boxing-trainer-dies-68">Dan Rafael, ESPN.com</a>:</p>
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<p>"Fighters also loved him for his generosity and for the father-figure role he often played in their lives. Training fighters was not just a job for Steward. He often took fighters in to live with him in his Detroit home, training them by day and parenting them by night."</p>
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https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3555826/emanuel-steward-dead-passing-comments-lampley-arum-roach-leonard-boxing-newsBad Left Hook2012-10-25T17:35:31-04:002012-10-25T17:35:31-04:00Klitschko: 'I will miss our time together'
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<figcaption>Nick Laham</figcaption>
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<p>Wladimir Klitschko, who worked with trainer Emanuel Steward for nearly a decade, has issued an official statement on the passing of his friend.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/VitaliWladimirKlitschko/posts/10151101296850205">Wladimir Klitschko has issued an official statement</a> on the passing of his trainer and friend, Emanuel Steward:</p>
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<p>Boxing has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Emanuel Steward.</p>
<p>Vitali and I, along with the entire Team Klitschko, send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Emanuel's family and friends.</p>
<p>It is not often that a person in any line of work gets a chance to work with a legend, well I was privileged enough to work with one for almost a decade.</p>
<p>I will miss our time together. The long talks about boxing, the world, and life itself. Most of all I will miss our friendship.</p>
<p>My team and I will carry on with the goals we had set while Emanuel was with us because that is exactly what Emanuel would have wanted. I know he will be with us in spirit along the way and we will accomplish these goals in his honor.</p>
<p>Rest in peace Emanuel. You will be greatly missed.</p>
<p>Until we meet again my friend.</p>
<p>Wladimir Klitschko</p>
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<p>Klitschko will next fight on November 10, when he faces Mariusz Wach in Germany. Johnathon Banks has been serving as his lead coach in training camp, and <a href="http://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/24/3547042/klitschko-vs-wach-johnathon-banks-trainer-corner-man-steward-boxing-news" target="new">will be in his corner for that fight</a>.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3555694/wladimir-klitschko-statement-emanuel-steward-passing-boxing-newsBad Left Hook2012-10-25T17:16:36-04:002012-10-25T17:16:36-04:00Emanuel Steward: His best HBO boxing calls
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<figcaption>Alexander Hassenstein</figcaption>
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<p>Emanuel Steward will be best remembered as a boxing trainer, but he was an enthusiastic, passionate commentator for HBO Sports, as well.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.boxingscene.com/hbos-hershman-issues-statement-on-stewards-passing--58620">Ken Hershman of HBO Sports had this to say in a release</a> about the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3554014/emanuel-steward-reportedly-passes-away-family-denies-reports">passing of Hall of Fame trainer and HBO boxing analyst Emanuel Steward</a>, who has worked with the company since 2001:</p>
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<p>"There are no adequate words to describe the enormous degree of sadness and loss we feel at HBO Sports with the tragic passing of Manny Steward. For more than a decade, Manny was a respected colleague who taught us so much not only about the sweet science but also about friendship and loyalty. His energy, enthusiasm and bright smile were a constant presence. Ten bells do not seem enough to mourn his passing. His contributions to the sport and to HBO will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."</p>
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<p>Steward will be best-remembered as a legendary trainer, one of the most accomplished in all of boxing history, but I think he'll also be remembered as a fine commentator. I know his diction wasn't perfect, and I know he would often hilariously declare someone looking great within 30 seconds of the first round, but Emanuel had personality, and he cared. Some of his most memorable moments were his calls during great fights.</p>
<p>Here are some of his best calls.</p>
<p><b>Gatti-Ward, Round 9</b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P_GctYbPByI?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe> <br id="1351199029663"></p>
<p><b>Toney-Jirov, Round 12</b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rz8cmqjfWBA?rel=0#t=7m20s" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640"></iframe> <br id="1351198946739"></p>
<p><b>Berto-Ortiz, Round 6</b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GYRSiVYIEEw?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1351199309744"></p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3555508/emanuel-steward-passes-away-hbo-boxing-statementScott Christ2012-10-25T15:59:58-04:002012-10-25T15:59:58-04:00Family confirms passing of Emanuel Steward
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<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/boxingscene/status/261554912205340672">BoxingScene.com is reporting via their Twitter account</a> that Emanuel Steward's sister is now confirming that the Hall of Fame trainer and HBO boxing analyst has passed away:</p>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text ">Emanuel Steward sister has now confirmed that her brother passed away about half an hour ago. RIP</p>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text ">Mr. Steward was 68 years old, and conflicting reports all day had him having passed away early this morning or perhaps late last night, which the family then denied. There was a later report earlier this afternoon that he'd had a surgery today and come out of that, but now it seems he has, in fact, passed on.</p>
<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text ">It has been a sad day all around for the boxing world, to say the absolute least. Mr. Steward was respected, loved by many, and his death is a terrible blow for those in the boxing industry, and those who are just fans, of all ages.</p>
<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text ">Once again, our thoughts and best wishes are with Mr. Steward's family and loved ones at this time. May he rest in peace.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3555204/emanuel-steward-dead-sister-confirms-passing-boxing-newsScott Christ2012-10-25T12:20:21-04:002012-10-25T12:20:21-04:00Steward's family denies reports of passing
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<p>Emanuel Steward's family denies reports that the Hall of Fame boxing trainer has passed away, in a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/emanuel-stewards-family-disheartened-by-reports-of-death">report at ABC-7 Detroit</a>:</p>
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<p>"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.'"</p>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/boxingscene">BoxingScene.com tweeted about being asked to remove the statement</a>:</p>
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<p>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"</p>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>Bad Left Hook again sends our best wishes to the family, loved ones, and friends of Mr. Steward at this time.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3554032/emanuel-steward-dead-family-denies-reports-klitschko-statement-boxing-newsScott Christ2012-10-25T11:31:44-04:002012-10-25T11:31:44-04:00Emanuel Steward reportedly passes away at age 68
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<figcaption>Lars Baron</figcaption>
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<p>Hall of Fame trainer and HBO boxing analyst Emanuel Steward has reportedly died at the age of 68, but the family has not yet released an official statement.</p> <p>Fighters and friends of Hall of Fame boxing trainer and HBO analyst Emanuel Steward have reported that he has passed away at the age of 68, but the family has not yet released an official statement.</p>
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<li>Johnathon Banks, who has replaced Steward in Wladimir Klitschko's corner for his upcoming fight, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BanksBoxingEnt/status/261403105487364097">originally tweeted the information</a> at 4:45 am ET this morning.</li>
<li>Others in the camp, including Richard Towers, retweeted that news. A short while ago, the official Klitschko Facebook page changed their profile photo to an all-black image, and their cover photo to a black-and-white shot of Emanuel Steward and Wladimir Klitschko. Wladimir also put up an official statement, which was then deleted, and the photos were changed back.</li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Champfasteddie/status/261452160326307840">Eddie Chambers also tweeted about the passing</a>, and added, "In Klitchko Camp its comfirmed that STeward has passed..Bashir who is Emanuel Assistant is My Main Trainer!"</li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/stevemaxboxing/status/261486359091486720">Steve Kim of Max Boxing also reported the passing</a>, via a phone call from Steward's HBO colleague, Jim Lampley: "I was just given a call by Jim Lampley, who tells me that Emanuel Steward has passed away. 'He's gone,' were his words."</li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/EricRaskin/status/261489065273217024">Eric Raskin has this</a>: "CBS News Radio just called, told me Emanuel Steward's foundation confirmed his passing. Not just a rumor, sadly. RIP to one of the greats."<br>
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<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fighthype.com/news/article13492.html">Fight Hype reports that Steward passed away</a>, and says that despite reports of Steward suffering from diverticulitis, there is also word that he actually had cancer. That's not confirmed, but has been said by more than a few folks.<br>
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<p>It appears -- <i>appears</i> -- that what we have here is a situation where Emanuel Steward's boxing family, as it were, has passed on the information before Mr. Steward's family wants to do the same. What we can say for sure is that at this point, many fighters connected to Steward have acknowledged the passing, and many credible media sources have done the same.</p>
<p>Bad Left Hook sends our best wishes to the Steward family, his friends, and all of his loved ones at this time.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/10/25/3553742/emanuel-steward-dead-passed-away-age-68-klitschko-boxing-newsScott Christ