Legendary US Boxing Trainer Dies

Posted February 2nd, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Legendary U.S. boxing trainer Angelo Dundee, who worked the corner of the ring for Muhammad Ali in his greatest fights, has died at age 90.

Dundee died Wednesday at his home in Florida.

Dundee trained 15 world champion boxers, including Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and Jimmy Ellis.

But in a career that spanned six decades, it was his work with Ali that will be remembered the most.

Dundee trained the legendary Ali for some of the most iconic fights in boxing history, and the pair traveled the world for bouts such as the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire in 1974 and the “Thrilla in Manila” in the Philippines in 1975.

Dundee also was a great motivator who exhorted his boxers to keep fighting when it appeared they were on the verge of defeat. He gave a famous “You're blowing it, son” pep talk to Leonard just before he knocked out Thomas Hearns to unify the welterweight crown in 1981. He also helped Ali get through some of his toughest fights.

Dundee was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.