He was also called the Godfather of Detroit Boxing. Ali had unbelievable reflexes naturally and could sway as good as anyone but if there was one thing he could benefit from Cus it was to have a more polished way of slipping punches that didn't leave him open to hooks and getting timed by expert boxers. Emanuel ' Manny ' Steward (J October 25, 2012) was an American boxer, trainer, and commentator for HBO Boxing. They would butt heads constantly but the one thing they'd agree on is the importance of head movement. Those long arms could snipe jabs to the belly to stop guys in their tracks or throw flurries downstairs and then upstairs which would actually make Ali even more dangerous given how fast his hands were. He would also demand that Ali go to the body more. He would encourage Ali to use his footwork in a more economical and conservative way to get in and get out as opposed to leaping around the ring and burning a lot of energy "dancing". ![]() Instead he might try to turn him into a Joe Louis clone with an explosive straight jab from shoulder height as opposed to a snapping jab thrown from the waist. At 6'3 Ali was considered very tall in the 70's era and even Cus would recognize that it would be silly to have him use a tight peak a boo guard and step forward aggressively. He was a unique trainer.If this was some strange universe where Ali allowed Cus to make changes to his style he would have been effective but boring. You try to look at their trends and work on what they have, rather than work with what you have, and he had the genius to select what they had and work with it. "He had the insight to see how to develop a fighter. "To say the least, Emanuel Steward was an exceptional trainer. "When they went to him they were normal types of boxers when he taught them they were champions," Calzaghe said. "My prayers and condolences go out to his family at this very difficult time."Įnzo Calzaghe, who trained his son, Joe, to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world during an undefeated career, described Steward as a "genius". I'll miss his smile, his frank no-holds-barred truthfulness and our discussions on boxing and life. "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'm proud to have had him in my corner for so many years. "Manny was giving, selfless, compassionate and stern," Lewis said. Steward was in Lewis's corner for his career-defining victories over Holyfield and Mike Tyson.įollowing Lewis's retirement, he began working with Klitschko and helped the Ukrainian become one of the finest heavyweights of his generation. ![]() "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." "It is with a heavy heart that realisation of what I hoped were just rumours are now, in fact, true. "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," he added. Lewis, who retired in 2004, was unaware that Steward had been suffering from colon cancer. He subsequently reclaimed his title in 1997 and went on to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Lewis went to the American's Kronk Gym in Detroit after losing his WBC heavyweight title to Oliver McCall in 1994. ![]() Steward trained some of the most successful boxers in the history of the sport, including Thomas Hearns, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar de la Hoya, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko. "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." "I'm completely devastated by the passing of my long-time friend, mentor and trainer Emanuel 'Manny' Steward. (November 19, 2018) - The late Emanuel Stewart, arguably the greatest boxing trainer of all-time, is a member of the Class of 2018 getting inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame. 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
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