Emanuel Steward (born July 7, 1944) is an American boxing trainer, commentator and inductee of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
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Steward was born in Bottom Creek, West Virginia and, by the age of 12, he had moved with his mother to Detroit, Michigan. After moving to Detroit, he began to frequent the Brewster Recreation Center, where Joe Louis and Eddie Futch trained. Steward began an amateur boxing career there. He compiled a record of 94 wins and 3 losses as an amateur boxer, including winning the 1963 national Golden Gloves tournament in the bantamweight division. Afterward, Steward became interested in training amateur boxers. However, due to his family's economic situation, he needed a steady job, so he temporarily became an electrician.
In 1971 Steward took his half brother James Steward to the nearby Kronk Gym and became a part time coach there.
In the 1970s, the Kronk gym was a hot-bed for amateur boxers. Steward trained many of the nation's top amateurs. He eventually translated his success with amateurs into a career training championship-level professional fighters.
On March 2, 1980, Hilmer Kenty became Steward's first world champion by knocking out world lightweight champ Ernesto España.
Steward achieved his most notable early success with welterweight Thomas Hearns, whom he changed from a light hitting boxer into a devastating puncher. Hearns became one of Steward's most successful and popular fighters, fighting Sugar Ray Leonard, knocking out Roberto Durán, and challenging undisputed Middleweight Champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler in a fight known as The War.
Steward still trains fighters in Detroit, Michigan.
He is currently training heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, among others.
Kronk became a property of Steward, who now is famous also for his collection of Rolls Royce cars and mansion. He opened a branch of the gym in Tucson, Arizona, and has started an association with the Dodge Theater in Phoenix to present boxing undercards once a month.
Among the world champions who have trained or sought Steward's guidance at some point of their career are: