Lou Duva

Legendary boxing trainer and manager Lou Duva, who spent more than seven decades in the sport he loved, died Wednesday March 8 2017 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, N.J. He was 94. Duva, the patriarch of one of the most influential families in boxing, died of natural causes, according to his only surviving son, Dino Duva. The fiery and charismatic Duva was a mainstay in the world of professional boxing for more than seven decades. He was probably best known for being the trainer of heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Duva and his family, along with powerful manager Shelly Finkel, founded Main Events in 1978, and built it into one of the most powerful promotional companies in the sport. Duva handled the careers of 19 world champions. Besides Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, he handled welterweight champions and former U.S. Olympians Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor, along with Hector “Macho” Camacho and Arturo Gatti. Lou Duva is survived by his son Dino, daughters Donna, Deanne and Denise, and daughter-in-law Kathy Duva, who currently is the CEO of Main Events. Duva was predeceased by his wife, Enes, and eldest son Dan, who passed away in 1996. Dan Duva was the husband of Kathy Duva.