Legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward is remembered as one of the illustrious cornermen of all time, but before his passing in 2012, the ‘godfather of Detroit boxing’ named the best fighter he ever worked with.
Steward fought as an amateur boxer during the 1960s, winning the 1963 Golden Gloves tournament as a bantamweight, but opted to coach in the professional game rather than fight.
In 1980, ‘Manny’ guided his first fighter to a world title as Hilmer Kenty claimed the WBA lightweight world title and he went on to train a total of 41 world champions, named as the BWAA trainer of the year in both 1993 and 1997.
Speaking to East End Boxing the year prior to his death, Steward revealed that Thomas Hearns was the standout fighter that he trained during his long and successful career in the corner.
“Not only was Tommy the best fighter I ever worked with, he was also the most exciting. For me, climbing in the ring whenever Tommy fought, it was just so exciting. Tommy was very special.
“He was probably the closest reflection to my own style of fighting. With Tommy, he had so many outstanding qualities it’s hard to list just one – but he was so dedicated.
“Tommy worked so hard in the gym. If I told him, ‘Tommy, today you spar 20 rounds.’ He’d say ‘Okay.’ That’s just the way he was – dedicated.”
Hearns became the first five-division world champion in boxing history, when he trumped Virgil Hill for the WBA light-heavyweight world title in 1991, before hanging up the gloves in 2006 with a record of 61-5-1, so it is clear to see exactly why Steward views him as the best.
