Did they just drop him like that because he lost? I was surprised seeing Steward in his corner during the rematch since Commander had success with Bowe (mostly in the first round tho lol) when he followed his corner indications, what happened?
This article seems to cover some of it. Holyfield hinted at retiring after the first loss to Bowe, at which point Duva and Benton committed to working with Michael Moorer. They and Holyfield all agreed that it would be best if Benton/Duva weren't splitting time and allegiances between two potential opponents. Holyfield was also going through a spat with Dan Duva at the time, which may have swayed Benton's and Duva's decision. When Holyfield and Dan Duva made up, they (and MC Hammer, who somehow worked his way onto Holyfield's promotional team) immediately set out to find a new trainer for the ex-champ.
Holyfield had a falling out with Dan Duva and retired after losing to Bowe. He also told both Benton and Lou that he was serious, so they moved on and started working with other fighters, but within a few weeks Holyfield changed his mind and signed with MC Hammer. Hammer recommended Holyfield start with a new team, which Holyfied did. Here is a short piece talking about Holyfield very short retirement. Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield says he's ending his brief retirement and plans to fight again later this year. Holyfield announced his retirement after losing the title to Riddick Bowe in November. A few weeks after that he changed his mind again. He said Thursday his new promoter will be rap singer Hammer, who recently formed a promotional company, "Roll-With-It Entertainment and Sports Management Inc." Holyfield said the latest change came after much thought and discussions with Hammer and his personal trainer Tim Hallmark. "Hammer and I are going to have fun with it," Holyfield said. "This way I can go in, fight, and there will be no hard feelings when it is over." Holyfield split with promoter Dan Duva after losing to Bowe. https://imgur.com/8UlMnL3 Here is another piece going into more detail about Holyfield's short retirement and bringing in Steward Aside from his new mental outlook, Holyfield's biggest change this time around has been replacing former trainers Lou Duva and George Benton - who had been with him his entire career and manager Shelly Finkel. Afer Holyfield retired, Duva and Benton shifted their focus to the World Boxing Association's No. 1 heavyweight contender, Michael Moorer. So when Holyfield decided to make a comeback in February, he also decided to change trainers. With advice from rap star Hammer ( who is an adviser to the Holyfield camp and is helping to promote this bout), Holyfield pursued Steward, who had tried to recruit Holyfield after the 1984 Olympics only to see him go to Duva and Benton. Steward said he has convinced Holyfield that the quick, pursuing style he used to earn the heavyweight championship will no longer work. Steward has made no secret of his desire for Holyfield to enter the fight at 217 pounds, heavier than his normal fight weight of about 208. At Thursday's weigh-in, Holyfield indeed tipped the scales at 218 pounds, his highest wieght ever. Even so he'll still be 10 pounds lighter than Stewart. https://imgur.com/ih04erB
I recall Lou Duva being quoted as saying Holyfield didnt train hard consistently the way they wanted him to. I found that unbelievable and probably just a parting shot at him over his decision to leave. For a guy that won the heavyweight title under their banner I thought to say anything about Evander was very low of Lou Duva.
he also claimed Meldrick Taylor didn't follow his instruction to "stay away" in the final round vs. Chavez, when in reality Duva is on camera saying "The fight is hanging on this round."
THANK YOU. IT WAS DUVA that cost Taylor that fight including distracting Taylor by climbing onto the ring apron when Taylor got knocked down and thus distracting Taylor. If not for Benton who was a master trainer Duva does not have near the same success.
I remember Bobby Czyz was very unhappy with Duva complaining about money issues and Bramble also jumped ship for the Rosario fight. If memory serves me right Lou Duva said that if he had still been the manager of Bramble he would never have fought a tough opponent as Rosario.