The recent Angelo Dundee thread got me thinking about another IBHOF trainer, Lou Duva. Personally I've never liked or even terribly respected Lou Duva. I found him to be a sore loser and a man who has never had a great deal of integrity. I remember reading a story where Tyrell Biggs talked about how callously Lou treated him when Tyrell's career stalled due to repeated injuries. Biggs talked about how Lou pushed for Biggs to fight Tyson when it was clearly too early and that he cashed out and left Biggs behind. Apparently that betrayal was a big part of Biggs's escalating cocaine dependence. From what I've read Lou treated Meldrick Taylor and Mark Breland similarly, largely neclecting them once they stalled or went into decline and dropping out of the picture once the big paydays dried up. Sure Lou had a lot of champs, but many of those, like Biggs, Holyfield, Whitaker, Taylor etc were basically handed to him on a silver platter. And more tellingly he never really trained a guy through their whole career. Either he dumped his fighters when times got rough or the fighters tired of his dictatorial, abusive demeanor and left to greener pastures. Anyone else have thoughts about Lou? Please set me straight if I'm being unfair to him.
Yeah, George Benton was a terrific fighter and Great Trainer. He'll be Missed. This content is protected http://www.phillyboxinghistory.com/fight_stories/stories/2011/20110919_benton_passes_01.htm
talks a lot of **** in the interviews i have read with him and has been proven to have selective memory syndrome. hes been caught lying a few times aqfter 9th round of de la hoya v pea he was recorded telling sweet pea that he will have to do more to win and was behind on the cards. after he totally denied it
He told Meldrick Taylor that he needed to win the 12th to get the decision against Chavez too. Sound advice that :-( What irked me most was how he'd race across the ring and start screaming in the other fighters face for whatever perceived slight he inflicted on his own precious fighter. I always thought he was grandstanding when he did it and if it wasn't for his old age he would've been (deservedly) smacked in the mush. Actually come to think of it I think Roger mayweather might've even given Lou a clip when he did just that, though I can't recall which fight it was (maybe the Pazienza one?).
Duva had a few differnt trainer through the years, Benton was one. I liked Benton as trainer, but he was just with Duva for a while. Duva is good trainer, but better as cornerman, and at matchmaking. He is also good promoter, or was one. He is boxing Hall of Famer for managing and promoting/managing talent, not trainer. He was good trainer though, don't consider him slouch cause he was not best of trainers, he was good at that too. Duva as a cornerman was one of best, he knew when to yell, when to be nice, when to keep quiet, and when to complain to ref or officials if his fighter was getting screwed by incompetent ref. One of boxings sharpest men in last 50 years. And a good guy, who tried to get Holyfield to retire in 1993, with over one hundred million in bank. Lou got his fighters money, and tried to help them keep it, something lacking in boxing.
I've never really thought he was regarded as a nice, generous, respectful or humble fellow among his peers. He never struck me that way, either. Dundee may not have been any saint, but it always seemed like he's one that got genuine care and respect from those he worked very closely with. Just to contrast. I don't get that much from Duva's associated guys. Well, when the bar's that low, he definitely might duck under the *******.
I don't know, Dundee always struck me as a bit of a phoney. Didn't come across as evil or anything of the sort, but just that he was into the 'celebrity' of it all a bit too much. Duva was more your stock-standard burly Italian nut-case where screaming and ranting was a natural way of being.
Maybe so. I think most of the guys that get in front of cameras and microphones enough start to put on a bit, play a role. Duva always struck me as just being a genuine ****. Now, in case he passes soon, and before I do, and this thread pops back up, I meant that in the least judgmental way possible. ...I think I'm covered, there. :err
Most are aware that he was more motivator than trainer; well intended but more of an echo to Benton. His actions could rub people the wrong way, though his passion definitely added spice to the ring. Characters are important in a good story.
That sure was a huge loss when Dan Duva died. That sure seemed to be the end of their magic era and being a major player.
I think the nail was hit on the head when it was stated that he was a great cornerman. That should really be his legacy. And he always fought for his fighters - always see him in an argument with the ref/officials/other corner. But i will always blame him for costing Taylor the first Chavez fight. Taylor was standing erect taking the 8 count and should have been looking at the ref. Richard Steele asked him twice "Are you OK?" Something he did not have to do. But Taylor is staring at Lou who should have kept his mouth shut and not another punch would have been thrown, but Lou is screaming instructions and Taylor in his dazed state is ignoring Steele and staring at Lou. Too much blame was foisted on Steele that night. It was Lou's fault.