Remembering Emanuel Steward: The Man, The Trainer and The Commentator

R.i.p

 

Mannys heart was in the game.

I remeber him saying how - when the likes of Thomas Hearns was a teenager - they would be driving up and down the motorways to boxing shows - and they had little money to get by - back in the fundamental days of building the Kronk.

Then he had Milton McCory too.

Jackie Kallen was part of them earlier days to and made her name through the Kronk as the "first lady of boxing" she will be in sorrow.

 

:good

Right from the beginning he put everything into it. Sacrificed a lot just for his boxers to get exposure. From what I've heard he also made every kid at the Kronk feel important.

 

Oscar De La Hoya
"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. I learned a lot from him during our professional relationship and I will be forever grateful for his help during that time. 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."

Bob Arum
"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. Emanuel Steward always stood for the best that boxing could offer. He will be missed by all of us."

Stephen Espinoza Showtime
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the legendary Emanuel Steward today. Not only was Emanuel one of the most esteemed and accomplished boxing trainers in the history of the sport, he was also an incredibly generous and warm-hearted human being. In addition to his many professional pursuits, Emanuel served as a life coach to countless young men and women, particularly in his beloved adopted hometown of Detroit, and through them his legacy will live on. Those who were fortunate enough to have known Emanuel will remember him for his infectious enthusiasm, ever-present smile and seemingly limitless generosity. We extend our deepest condolences to the Steward family during this difficult time. He will be missed by everyone his spirit touched."

Wladimir Klitschko
"Boxing has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Emanuel Steward. Vitali and I, along with the entire Team Klitschko, send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Emanuel’s family and friends. 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. I will miss our time together. The long talks about boxing, the world, and life itself. Most of all I will miss our friendship. 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."

Ken Hershman, President, HBO Sports
"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."

Adonis Stevenson
"It is with great sadness that I learned today the death of a man that I admired a lot, my trainer and mentor the legendary Emanuel Steward, and since a tragedy never happens alone, I also lost my grandmother Olive Florental 88 years old this week a woman to whom I’ll always have unconditional love for. My most sincere sympathy to the Steward family, a family that did a lot for me."