It isn’t every day that I write a blog at 4.45am, yet today is no typical day.
I’ve just awoken to the sad news that a boxing legend has passed away. Angelo Dundee died in the early hours of this morning aged 90. Though he was not a fighter, he will go down as one of boxing’s true greats.
Dundee was an icon, a man for who age had no limitations, working in boxing right up until he was 89 his love and passion for the sport was immeasurable. He epitomized the passion and love of the sport that so many fans crave.
But of course history will remember him best for over 20 years being the trainer of the worlds greatest boxer, Muhammad Ali. Yet Dundee’s heritage and legacy extend far beyond his work with Ali.
Born in 1921, he started work as a corner man in New York and then Miami as a bucket man. Literally collecting the spit and water of boxers. His love of the sport never dampened his youthful enthusiasm, and he soon became a pupil of the sport, learning how to become a cut man and finally a trainer.
Dundee began working with Ali from the beginning of his career and only missed two fights, staying with him at all times. Dundee was the quiet, silent type to Ali’s youthful brashness. The wise head on the talented boxers young shoulders. Even when Ali was exiled from Boxing he stood by his friend and never left his side during Ali’s remarkable career.
As Ali’s career came to an end, Dundee saw potential in another, young gifted fighter, Sugar Ray Leonard. He acted as Leonard’s corner man in the famous Middleweight era of the 80’s including the now legendary fights with Duran, Hearn’s and Hagler.
As many men retired at his age Dundee never seemed to slow down, he trained other world champions such as Luis Rodriguez, Willie Pastrano, Ralph Dupas, José Nápoles, Pinklon Thomas, Trevor Berbick, Jimmy Ellis, and Wilfredo Gomez.
In recent years, he acted as a guide to Oscar De La Hoya also trained actor Russell Crowe for his performance in Cinderella Man. All this in his late eighties.
Boxing will remember those legends of the ring, the warriors of the sport, however, behind every skilful fighter there is a prominent corner man. Ali was truly one of the greatest boxers whoever lived, yet he would not have been half the fighter without Dundee.
The world of boxing has lost an icon, a legend and a remarkable gentleman.
RIP Angelo Dundee 1921-2012.
