Sadly, FightHype.com has been informed that famed Hall of Fame trainer and HBO analyst Emanuel Steward has passed away. The 68-year-old had been dealing with health problems for the past couple of months. He was in the hospital reportedly recovering after surgery to treat diverticulitis, however, there were also reports stating that he was suffering from cancer. Jonathan Banks, who has worked with Steward and was tabbed to replace him during his absence from the corner of Wladimir Klitschko, confirmed the news via Twitter when he wrote, "He's gone but NEVER!! will be forgotten. You fought a good fight you finished your course. With tears i'm saying.. R.I.P. Emanuel steward." Several others close to Steward have also confirmed the news to be true.
The Kronk Gym owner is best known for guiding Detroit boxers Thomas Hearns and Hilmer Kenty to world titles, as well as his work with heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. He has also trained a number of current and former world champions, including Wladimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto, Cornelius Bundrage, and Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Wilfred Benitez, Prince Naseem Hamed, and John David Jackson to name a few. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
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