World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor The passing of Emanuel Steward yesterday has stunned the boxing world as some of the sports top stars pay tribute to a man who lit up boxing with his engaging smile, kindness and energy. Lennox Lewis, who stood alongside Manny throughout his greatest achievements in boxing, was devastated upon hearing the news of his trainer's death after a day of confusion and conflicting stories. "I'm completely devastated by the passing of my long-time friend, mentor and trainer Emanuel "Manny" Steward," said Lewis. "Manny has helped me get through some of the biggest fights in my career and I only regret that I couldn't return the favour and see him through his biggest fight. "We've maintained a close relationship and the last time we spoke he seemed his usual upbeat self so it was very disturbing to hear about his illness and rapid decline. "It is with a heavy heart that realisation of what I hoped were ju...

A distraught Wladimir Klitschko has vowed to continue his trainer Emanuel Steward's good work in the wake of his tragic passing yesterday, as the world heavyweight champion prepares to fight Mariusz Wach in just over two weeks. The Ukrainian has been unable to train for the fight with his mentor of ten years due to his illness, but released a statement shortly after Steward's death to confirm that he will fight on for his coach. 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 w...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Illness takes life of boxing coach aged 68 World-renowned boxing man Emanuel ‘Manny’ Steward has passed away today after suffering from a serious stomach illness for the past few months, it has now been formally announced. The 68 year-old, who trained Wladimir Klitschko to invincibility after a long career coaching some of the biggest names in the sport, was reported by some to be battling cancer, although this was denied by his sister. After earlier reports were initially rubbished, Mr. Steward's death is now confirmed, throwing the whole boxing community into mourning for one of the greatest trainers and men to ever grace the sport. Steward’s death comes just a day after Klitschko announced that he would replace Steward with fellow fighter Jonathan Banks for his upcoming bout against Mariusz Wach on November 10 in Hamburg, Germany. The Ukrainian was transformed under the tutelage of Steward after suffering some devastating knockout...

Frank Stea Trainer responds to the Bundrage split Hall of Fame trainer and manager Emanuel Steward has a reputation that is well respective throughout the boxing world. Steward has worked with some of the biggest names the sport has ever known in Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Oscar De La Hoya, Tommy Hearns, and Lennox Lewis are just a few names that have been under his guidance in the past. Currently, he is the trainer of the undisputed world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.  Last week, IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage made it public to the boxing world that he no longer needed the services of Steward.  He announced his free agency. Monday evening on ATG Radio, Steward joined us and was asked his side of the story. “Well it’s very clearly. We made a deal. I talked to Golden Boy to win the purse bid to get him a situation where he can fight with his mandatory Cory Spinks. When the highest purse bid with Don K...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Legendary trainer says serious injury a concern In the wake of a spate of boxers testing positive for banned substances on both sides of the Atlantic, ‘Hall of Fame’ trainer Emanuel Steward believes that the powers that be need to take a tough stance to clamp down on performance enhancing drugs in the sport. Steward, who currently trains heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko, is disappointed with the latest failures and says that things need to change rapidly to avoid a tragedy in the ring that could end up in the courts. “It’s a very serious matter,” Steward told World Boxing News. “If not corrected, it will change the course of boxing outcomes. “We are looking at serious damage to the fighter who is not on the drug if he is in the ring with one who is.” Many in the sport are calling for compulsory blood tests to be introduced for all fighters as soon as a title fight is signed in a measure that would hopefully clean up the sport in t...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Trainer sees ‘Del Boy’ win over Haye In a recent interview with World Boxing News, legendary trainer Emanuel Steward has chosen Dereck Chisora as the next challenger to Wladimir Klitschko once he takes care of David Haye on July 14. Wladimir himself has an imminent fight against Tony Thompson and Steward sees a match-up between the two as the next logical step when the two rivals come through their respective opponents. “Preparations have gone great,  Wladimir is ready,” Steward told World Boxing News. “I absolutely see a quicker finish than last time (when Klitschko stopped Thompson in eleven). When asked about a future opponent for Wladimir from a list of Tyson Fury, David Price or the Haye v Chisora winner, Steward replied bluntly: “Chisora would be the more likely opponent for Wladimir," obviously alluring to the former British champion coming through David Haye next week at Upton Park in London. Steward also believes th...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Training legend reveals negotiations for 80’s super-fight Emanuel Steward has offered Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather an insight into what it takes to pull-off successful negotiations for a multi-million dollar fight that the public are craving. The legendary trainer, who still trains top heavyweights Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, amongst others today, spoke to BBC Sport on the back of Sugar Ray Leonard's comments that a bout between the two pound for pounds stars has to made to for the good of boxing. "Boxing's not in good shape. It's more of a business now and its hurting boxing. We need to return to an era when the best fight the best and it wasn't all about money and egos,” Steward explained in the BBC interview. "Unless some drastic changes come about, I don't like the way things are looking for boxing. There's not one dream heavyweight fight - you've got Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschk...

Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward predicts a world title for his newest Kronk Gym-boxer, super middleweight sensation Adonis "Superman" Stevenson, who defends his International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Inter-Continental belt Saturday night in Montreal, in the 12-round main event that is also an IBF voluntary eliminator for the No. 2 position, against former NABF champion Jesus "El Martillo" Gonzales (27-1, 14 KOs). Rated in the top 15 of the four major governing bodies, as high as No. 7 by the World Boxing Association ("WBA"), the dangerous Stevenson (16-1, 13 KOs) is also the reigning North American Boxing Association ("NABA") and North American Boxing Organization ("NABO") and International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Inter-Continental super middleweight champion. After this week's action, "Superman" will quickly switch his sights to become the No. 1 rated and mandatory challenger to IBF sup...