36 Quotes by Emanuel Steward

I used to love to see Willie Pep and Ray Robinson. To me, the epitome of a great athlete is a great boxer. I just love the rhythm of seeing a man dance, slip punches. I loved the dancers and boxers. I would see them and be mesmerized.

If there is one abiding theme in the gym, it's the withering work in the ring. Those not fit do not survive.

For pure passion and dedication to boxing, you couldn't beat Wright. Brad wasn't a politician, but he worked so, so hard. In all my years, I have never seen anyone in boxing work as hard. This has hurt him a lot.

He was a pioneer in a lot of ways. His punching power for his size was phenomenal.

He'd lean over and whisper to me that this is never going to leave Detroit. He made me promise.

I said two years ago that the European fighters and the Africans would take control because I hate to say it their amateur system is better than our American system. They're benefiting from that good foundation, and then they're spending more time staying and training over here and getting used to a variety of styles that they don't see in Europe. They're also developing sort of a gangster mentality, whereas before their mental makeup was a little more delicate.

People are going to have to start giving him credit. He is the best heavyweight out there. Wladimir has established himself as the premier heavyweight in the division. I don't see anything out there on the horizon, even in the amateurs. I think he can dominate until he retires.

That fight with Brewster, I understand exactly what happened. I won't go into it but even if Wladimir had scored a fourth round knockout, which he was one punch away from doing, Wladimir would still have been in (serious distress) because of what he told me after the very first round. We had serious problems after the first, second round which had nothing to do with Brewster.

I wish the fight was last week. He's that prepared. I'm more confident than when Lennox Lewis fought Mike Tyson.