There is an USA today article saying he is still alive but it was written at 11 am today and the articles confirming the death are from 3pm today. Just to clarify because there was a thread about the USA article deleted by mods who probably thought the guy was trolling but it was a real article, just earlier.
Wow, it all came too fast. He was one of my favorite commentators. He really knew what he was talking about. This is a great loss for boxing. He will be missed greatly. R.I.P. Manny, we love you.
Ok now this is finally legit.
A great loss for the boxing world, he was one of the greatest trainers of all time as well as a very sharp analyst who still had a lot of knowledge and wisdom to pass on. It's as if a library of boxing books was burned down. So long Emmanuel, you'll be missed.
http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&Date=20121024&Category=SPORTS18&ArtNo=121024057&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Family-friends-pray-ailing-Kronk-boxing-icon-Emanuel-Steward
DETROIT (WXYZ) - Legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward has passed away at age 68 and the family has confirmed his death.
Steward's sister, Diane called me at 3:29 and said, "He went home about half an hour ago. He fought harder than Hagler and Hearns. I'll tell you more later. It's too tough right now."
Steward's health had declined in recent months and he underwent surgery for diverticulosis recently. Diane stated in the phone call that he suffered setback after setback this week and was unable to fight through them.
Earlier in the day, as reports were circulating of Steward's death, Diane refuted that her brother had passed, issuing the following statement via text message at 11:25am Thursday morning.
"You can tell folks that he is alive and being treated by some of the best experts in the world. The Steward family is dismayed and greatly disheartened and disappointed that during this personally challenging time, people would callously and thoughtlessly run wild with untrue statements in order to garner their '15 minutes of fame.'
"Where is the moral compass of those seeking to capitalize on this situation? Does anybody take the time to check out the facts anymore?
"Many of those issuing reckless statements have our phone numbers as well as Emanuel's office number and yet, they haven't called, just issued statements that are terrorizing Emanuel's children, siblings and relatives that aren't able to be here at the hospital.
"SHAME ON THEM! He has feelings and we, his family, have feelings. Consider that and give us our privacy to help our loved ones."
The 68 year-old Steward has been battling an unspecified illness over the past few months and the family has asked for prayers for his recovery.
It was reported late Wednesday on the website of the Detroit Free Press that Steward recently underwent surgery for diverticulosis.
Steward began training boxers in 1971 and is most famous for his work with world champions Thomas Hearns, Hilmer Kenty, Wladimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto, Oscar de la Hoya and Cornelius "K9" Bundrage.
He fortified the Kronk Gym and transformed it into a boxing haven, respected around the world as one of the best training centers in the world.
Steward was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997 and is also a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. He has served as a ringside analyst for HBO's coverage of boxing for many years.
Read more: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/emanuel-stewards-family-disheartened-by-reports-of-death#ixzz2ALH9YevB
Tom Leyden @TomLeyden (10 minutes ago)
Just got off the phone with Emanuel Steward's sister, Diane, who confirmed the death of her brother, age 68. Details to follow.
RIP Steward
Fight news report "Family says Steward is alive"..
"There are now conflicting reports on the status of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward. The Detroit Free Press had reported on the death of Steward, and Wladimir Klitschko, Johnathon Banks and others had issued statements on Steward’s passing, however the Steward family has issued a statement to XWXYZ-TV in Detroit saying that Steward remains in the care of doctors and is still alive, despite numerous reports of his passing. Stay tuned…"
http://www.freep.com/article/20121025/SPORTS18/121025036/emanuel-steward-boxing-kronk-dies-death?odyssey=nav%7Chead
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2012/10/24/trainer-emanuel-steward-seriously-ill-but-still-alive/1655821/
his sister Diane Steward-Jones refuted the fact.
"Emanuel is still with us," Steward-Jones told the Detroit Free Press this afternoon. "He hasn't left his room. There is no shade over his head."
This has been very strange so I'll put it this way. If he has passed R.I.P. & if he's alive then I hope he keeps fighting on. Don't really know what to say other than that.
Another scenario just entered my mind:
He might be brain dead but still being kept alive by life support.
This scenario does happen, I remember someone gave birth to twins while she was brain dead on life support.
The chances of survival are bare minimum, and even if a miracle happened he'll be disabled for life. But it could be that the sister hasn't allowed the life support to be turned off yet.
This would explain the conflicting reports. He's been declared brain dead but he's still being kept alive?