Bob Mee, Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson reflect on the life of late, great boxing trainer Angelo Dundee.
Our pundits remember the life of late trainer Dundee
Tributes have come pouring in for legendary boxing trainer Angelo Dundee after he passed away at the age of 90.
Dundee was a vital part of Muhammad Ali's stable, while he also coached 14 other world champions, including Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and Willie Pastrano.
The Philadelphia-born trainer became a less prominent figure in recent years but he still acted as a special consultant for Oscar De La Hoya's bout with Manny Pacquiao in 2008.
Boxing historian Bob Mee and Ringside presenters Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson shared their memories of Dundee on Sky Sports News HD.
And they revealed that not only was he one of the sport's most friendly, popular and influential figures, he was also a very canny operator...
Bob Mee
"Boxing is not as erratic as football where managers change all the time, but trainers often get the blame for defeats. People often say fighters win fights, trainers lose them and then the trainer finds he's sacked the moment somebody loses.
"That wasn't the case with Muhammad Ali. Ali was sent to Miami to train with Dundee and they stayed together for 20 years. It was a very special relationship.
"He was only concerned with the job of boxing. However much Ali talked, he said he knew that Dundee was the boss. Obviously the relationship changed as things grew and Ali became more capable but even then he listened to Dundee and that made the difference.
"From the 1940s he was hanging around gyms in New York, learning his trade, watching the great trainers of the time.
"When he set up in Miami he got involved with fighters who became world champions; some made into champions, some came to him when they were already at the top because he was so good.
"He was involved in the '50s with Carmen Basilio who was the world welterweight and middleweight champion and beat the great Ray Robinson, right through to Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and into the '90s.
"Not so much in recent times but he still had a presence and could influence people. He was a good guy; he was nice to people and he liked the positives and made people believe in themselves. That was vital for young fighters."
Adam Smith
"He learnt his trade in the New York gyms with the great trainers of old like Ray Arcel. He was a real student with six decades in the sport and 15 world champions; Basilio all the way up to Pinklon Thomas.
"He was with George Foreman when Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer to become world heavyweight champion at 44. Dundee was a phenomenal fight figure and such a nice guy.
"Psychologically he was a great trainer. He let (Muhammad) Ali do the bluster and he just sort of stepped back. He always said he directed him, he didn't train him."
"He was also a very clever operator. People spoke about Dundee's case at ringside of potions and lotions and he was also a great motivator. 'You're blowing, you're blowing,' he said to Sugar Ray Leonard and then he knocked out my hero Tommy Hearns!
"He was still involved in the sport and had young trainers. He was helping them and young fighters right up until the very end. They guys that saw him in the Hall of Fame in 1994, when he was inducted, said he was so mentally sharp absolutely adored the game.
"It's a sad day for the sport."
Johnny Nelson
"When Ali boxed Henry Cooper there was talk of Dundee ripping the gloves and buying a bit of time; it's those foxy little tricks that helps them to become bigger and better.
"I think one of his sharpest tricks was when (Sugar Ray) Leonard first boxed Roberto Duran and Dundee smeared him with Vaseline so that Duran couldn't grab hold of him. It's a trick that you just wouldn't think of; he was so smart.
"He inspired many fighters and trainers and it's people like Angelo who love the game, live the game, sleep the game that make better fighters."
To hear more of what Adam and Johnny had to say, click here
