Legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward passed away yesterday after a sudden illness. He was 68.

Steward had a brilliant career as an amateur winning a Golden Gloves as a bantamweight. But having a family to feed, Steward never turned pro.

However, several years later, his brother opened up Kronk’s Gym in Detroit where Steward became a part-time trainer. The training soon became a full-time endeavour. Steward became a household name in boxing with the emergence of middleweight fighter Thomas Hearns.

Steward went on to train numerous champions including Lennox Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitscho.

For the past decade, Steward also worked as a color commentator on HBO Boxing.

I leave you with an interview Steward did on Detroit TV station WXYZ this past July along with one of his young proteges. Steward had just returned from Switzerland following a title defense by Klitscho. He speaks very firmly and frankly and yet remains friendly. Never an easy thing to do.