Angelo Dundee

Angelo Dundee (born Angelo Merena on August 30, 1921) is an American boxing cornerman. He is best known for his work with Muhammad Ali, and has worked with 15 world boxing champions, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Jose Napoles, George Foreman, Jimmy Ellis, Carmen Basilio and Luis Rodriguez.

Professional career

Dundee, left, stands with baseball player Frank Thomas, at Knology Field in Dunedin, Florida.

Born in Philadelphia, Dundee went to New York and later to Miami where his brother Chris Dundee opened the Fifth Street Gym. He learned many of the strategies used to act as a cornerman for boxers while acting as a "bucket guy" to the great trainers of Stillman's Gym. There his mentors included Charlie Goldman, Ray Arcel, and Chickie Ferrera.

Carmen Basilio was the first world champion for whom Dundee acted as a cornerman when Basilio defeated Tony De Marco for the world welterweight crown.

Career with Muhammad Ali

Dundee travelled around the world with Ali, and he was the cornerman in all of Ali's fights, which also included Ali's bouts with Archie Moore, Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ken Norton and, later, Leon Spinks. Dundee was accused by Foreman of loosening the ring ropes before his 1974 The Rumble in the Jungle fight with Ali to help Ali win the fight by using the Rope-a-dope technique. Dundee has consistently denied tampering with the ropes. In 1997, after decades Dundee reunited with Muhammad Ali and appeared alongside him in a sentimental Super Bowl commercial.

Career with Sugar Ray Leonard

Dundee saw a future, emerging star in Sugar Ray Leonard, whom he has called "a smaller version of Ali". Dundee acted as cornerman for Leonard in many of his biggest fights, including those with Wilfred Benitez, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. In Leonard's first bout with Hearns, Dundee, thinking that his protege was behind on the scorecards, quipped the now famous words, "You're blowing it, son! You're blowing it!" before the start of round 13. Leonard went on to score a fourteenth round win when the referee stopped the fight.

Other work

Dundee later teamed up with George Foreman, including his 1991 Heavyweight title fight against Evander Holyfield and his 1994 Heavyweight title win against then-undefeated Michael Moorer.

In addition, Dundee also trained such world champions as Luis Rodriguez, Willie Pastrano, Ralph Dupas, Jose Napoles, Pinklon Thomas, Trevor Berbick, Jimmy Ellis and Sugar Ramos, as well as other boxers such as Bill Bossio, David Estrada, Douglas Vaillant, Jimmy Lange, Tom Zbikowski and Pat O'Connor.

Dundee was hired to train Russell Crowe for Crowe's characterization of James J. Braddock in Cinderella Man. To that end, Dundee traveled to Australia to work with the Oscar winning actor and appeared in the film as "Angelo" the corner man.

In November 2008, he was hired as a special consultant for Oscar De La Hoya's fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Honors

Dundee was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.

Suggested Reading

• My view from the corner : a life in boxing, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

External links

• Angelo Dundee Video Interview
• Dundee Signs With Golden Boy Promotions