BoxRec

The following was written by Eric Bottjer on Facebook

Lou Duva passed this morning. His mighty heart stopped beating two months shy of his 95th birthday. And in this case, an era has truly passed, an era where a handshake was the most important contract and a "boxing guy" was someone who worked full-time in the business and did so for love first (yes, the money was important as well).

Great boxing man. RIP Lou.

Sad news.

Worth a read :

Legendary Hall of Fame boxing manager and trainer Lou Duva, the patriarch of one of the most influential families in the sport, passed away today at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey. He was 94. He died of natural causes, according to his son Dino Duva. A fiery and charismatic character, Lou Duva's career spanned seven decades in the corners of boxing champions.

Duva handled the careers of 19 world champions, and most notably trained heavyweight titlist Evander Holyfield, and welterweight kingpins Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor – all U.S.A. Olympic medalists – just to name a few. Duva's first world champion was middleweight Joey Giardiello, who won the title in 1963.

Lou Duva was born on May 28, 1922 in New York City to Italian immigrants, and the family later moved Paterson, New Jersey.

A true icon in the sport of the "Sweet Science," Lou Duva is enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1998), as well as the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

Duva and his family built the promotional company Main Events (founded in 1978) into one of boxing's powerhouses. Duva was voted "Manager of the Year" in 1985 by the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 1987, the World Boxing Association chose Duva as "Trainer of the Year."

Lou Duva is survived by his son Dino and his wife Margi, daughters Donna ​Duva Brooks and ​ her husband Tommy ​ Brooks​ , Deanne ​ Boorman​ and her husband Mike ​ Boorman​ , and Denise; d aughter in law Kathy Duva, widow of Dan Duva; grandchildren Cassandra and her husband Shaun, Max ​ and ​partner ​ Tabitha ​ Hugdahl​ , Nicole, Alex, Lisa and her husband Will Jamieson​ , Louis, Amanda, Bryan, Deena, Michael and Scott ​; ​ and great grandchildren Shaun Jr., Carter, Luc and Ryan. Lou Duva was pre-deceased by his wife Enes, and eldest son Dan.

"The overwhelming number of calls and sympathy wishes from so many friends and associates shows how much our father was loved and respected. We sincerely appreciate the support from everyone." said Dino Duva

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I'm embarrassed to say I thought he died a few years ago, I'm a lot more aware of him these days as he was before my time but ive seen a lot of him recently whilst watching old fights, I also got the Rocky Marciano "Undefeated" docu on a DVD set recently an he appeared on that as well, a very knowledgable and experienced man and true last of the dying breed

RIP Lou

handsofstone wrote:I'm embarrassed to say I thought he died a few years ago, I'm a lot more aware of him these days as he was before my time but ive seen a lot of him recently whilst watching old fights, I also got the Rocky Marciano "Undefeated" docu on a DVD set recently an he appeared on that as well, a very knowledgable and experienced man and true last of the dying breed

RIP Lou

I also thought he was dead despite the fact I was looking him up not long ago. I think I was wanting to know the relationship of Kathy and Lou. R.I.P.

RIP

He was a real character. RIP Lou

Rip Lou

That's too bad. He was one of the greatest trainers who was then alive. But 95 is 95, and if I was 95, dying would be just fine by me.

Lou Duva lived along time. Good For Him. He was great to watch in the 80's real animated trainer who truly cared about his fighters. Trained a lot of good fighters.

RIP

Rest in Peace Lou Duva.

RIP Lou