Obituary: Angelo Dundee / Trained boxers Ali, Leonard
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Angelo Dundee, the renowned trainer who guided Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard to boxing glory, died Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla. He was 90.
His death was announced by his son-in-law, James Coughlin, who said Mr. Dundee had recently been treated for blood clots.
In more than 60 years in professional boxing, Mr. Dundee gained acclaim as a brilliant cornerman, whether healing cuts, inspiring his fighters to battle on when they seemed to be reeling or adjusting strategy between rounds to counter an opponent's style.
Mr. Dundee's first champion was Carmen Basilio, the welterweight and middleweight titleholder of the 1950s. Although best remembered for Mr. Ali and Mr. Leonard, he also trained light-heavyweight champion Willie Pastrano, heavyweight titleholder Jimmy Ellis and welterweight champion Luis Rodriguez. Mr. Dundee was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.
Born Angelo Mirena, a Philadelphia native and the son of a railroad worker, he became Angelo Dundee after his brother, Joe, fought professionally under the name Johnny Dundee, in tribute to a former featherweight champion, and another brother, Chris, also adopted the Dundee name.
After working as a cornerman at military boxing tournaments in England while in the Army Air Forces during World War II, Angelo Dundee served an apprenticeship at Stillman's Gym near the old Madison Square Garden in New York City. In the early 1950s, Mr. Dundee teamed with his brother Chris to open the Fifth Street gym in Miami Beach, Fla. It became their longtime base, Angelo as a trainer and Chris as a promoter.
In the late 1950s, Mr. Dundee gave some tips to a promising amateur heavyweight named Cassius Clay, and in December 1960, after Mr. Clay's first pro bout, Mr. Dundee became his trainer, guiding him to the heavyweight title with a knockout of Sonny Liston in February 1964.
First Published February 3, 2012 12:00 am
