The NHL made it official on Friday and did what had been expected for several days now.

The league canceled the entire schedule for the month of number, bringing the total number of games missed in the NHL lockout to 326.

This also eliminates any hope of the league playing a full 82-game schedule during the 2012-13 season. According to the league the deadline for salvaging the full season was Thursday, and that deadline passed without any new talks. The NHLPA attempted to meet with the league on Wednesday but was turned away because in the NHL’s view there was nothing to talk about at that point.

This latest round of cancelations does not include the Jan. 1 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Michigan, or the NHL All-Star game on Jan. 27 in Columbus, Ohio, but those games appear to be hanging by a thread. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly did however refute a report that the cancelation could come as early as Monday.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10/26/nhl-cancels-regular-season-schedule-through-november/

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) As the Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau urges downtown business owners to “light up” the city for the World Series, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network is going beyond the call of duty.

They’re turning on a nine-story Olde English D at their headquarters building on Lafayette Avenue near I-375 in downtown Detroit. The lighting display is visible at dusk.

But it’s not just a tribute, it’s an energy efficient tribute.

The “D” has upgraded lighting fixtures from traditional incandescent bulbs to new LED technology. The new fixtures reduce energy consumption from 600 watts per fixture down to 25 watts per fixture. The “D” is composed of 39 total fixtures, all made in Michigan.

According to Michael Schneider, facilities manager for the Blues, the new LED lights also serve as a cost savings. “In the past, we had to stockeach different color light bulb, and this year, we’ve installed a cost-effective way to show the nation we’re proud of the D,” Schneider said. “The new technology allows the LED lighting to change colors through a programmed remote control, saving time while reducing cost.”

The Blue Cross headquarters is known to downtown workers and helicopter pilots for its light displays. For more than 30 years, the building has had a huge holiday tree in green lights in November and December. The building also has displayed a red heart in February to support National Heart Month.

The classic Olde English D will remain into November, when it will be replaced with the all holiday tree display. The 2012 holiday tree will feature updated LED lights, with the ability to be programmed to flash and fade from each color, allowing the tree to actually twinkle.

Tigers fans traveling southbound on I-375 might have already seen another tribute to the team. A billboard along Jefferson Avenue at the foot of I-375 has featured an Olde English D and two words: We Believe. The billboard was installed Oct. 5 before the division playoffs.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10/26/blue-cross-will-light-up-olde-english-d-for-world-series/

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- One of America's fastest-growing wireless carriers is a company you've probably never heard of: Tracfone Wireless. It's the U.S. arm of a telecom empire controlled by the world's richest man, Carlos Slim, and it's the biggest player in an increasingly lucrative market: subsidized mobile phones for low-income Americans.

The subsidy became a political flashpoint recently thanks to an incendiary YouTube video featuring a Cleveland resident praising her free "Obama phone." Hype from the Drudge Report and conservative ringleaders like Rush Limbaugh propelled the video to nearly 5 million pageviews.

The real story behind the phones is more nuanced than the 45-second clip.

The subsidy is from a government-created program called Lifeline, which is paid for by customer fees on most phone bills. The program is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission, and has its roots in a universal access initiative that began in 1985, during Ronald Reagan's administration.

Here's how it works: If you're eligible for other forms of government assistance like Medicaid or food stamps (the rules differ by state), then you qualify to receive a $9.25 per month phone subsidy.

Participating wireless companies will typically offer a free phone (paid for by the company), with an allotment of Lifeline minutes each month.

Lifeline subscribers can collect only one monthly subsidy, for either a landline or a wireless phone. Around 75% of them have chosen to go wireless.

Where does the money for Lifeline subsidy come from? You.

Take a look at your phone bill and you'll see a charge -- typically a few dollars a month -- for payments to the "Universal Service Fund." That's the umbrella program covering various ventures, including Lifeline, that are designed to make telephone communications universally available to all Americans.

The government requires most telecoms to pay into the fund. The carriers then typically pass the costs on to their customers as a monthly surcharge. Last year, Lifeline accounted for 20% of the $8.1 billion Universal Service Fund distributed to support connections for rural areas, schools, hospitals and low-income individuals.

There are 17 million households currently signed up for the program, up from under 7 million just four years ago.
There are two reasons for the rapid growth.
First, the recession dramatically increased the number of people who are eligible.

Second, in 2008, during George W. Bush's administration, the FCC allowed wireless carrier Tracfone to join the program's list of approved providers.

Tracfone has aggressively gone after Lifeline customers. It advertises its "free phone" on television, pays commissioned street teams to canvas low-income neighborhoods for new subscribers, and signs customers up through a splashy website that promises "250 Free Minutes Every Month! Pay Nothing!"

Those tactics are paying off. Tracfone now has more than has more than 4 million subscribers in its Lifeline program, called SafeLink, and collected $452 million last year from the program's subsidies. That's twice what it took in two years ago, and far more than any other provider. (The runners-up, AT&T (T, Fortune 500)and Sprint (S, Fortune 500), each collected around $274 million.)

The Lifeline cash is a substantial chunk of the $3.8 billion Tracfone generated last year in annual sales. The company is the American subsidiary of América Móvil, the Mexican telecom giant run by Carlos Slim, the world's richest billionaire.

Lifeline customers aren't as profitable for Tracfone as traditional ones, but the streams are reliable and help expand the company's customer base.

"The wonderful thing about the program is that individuals who no longer qualify for the phone keep the phone," says Jose Fuentes, Tracfone's director of government relations.

"They can continue to remain Tracfone customers."
Advocates say the program is an essential safety net: A telephone links people to emergency services, and it's almost impossible to get a job without a phone number.

"I use it to keep in touch with my family and my friends, and work-related services like business appointments," says Kathy Jarrett, a Brooklyn, N.Y. resident who has been a Lifeline subscriber for four years. "If I didn't have a phone I would be a wreck."

But in the days leading up the election, the booming Lifeline expansion is raising eyebrows. The program paid out $1.6 billion last year, more than twice the $772 million it spent in 2008.

Congressman Tim Griffin, a Republican from Arkansas, blasted it as a "government-run, taxpayer-funded" boondoggle that's "riddled with instances of abuse." He introduced a bill that would drop mobile phones from the program.

"That is one of the biggest misconceptions that are out there today, that federal dollars go directly to the Universal Service Fund," says Tracfone's Fuentes. "That is completely incorrect."

Griffin's retort: "Consumers are forced to pay it, and where I come from, that's a tax."

Democrats have also challenged Lifeline's excesses. Senator Claire McCaskill, from Missouri, drew attention last year to Lifeline's minimal oversight after receiving a flyer at home inviting her to get a free cell phone. (With an annual Senate salary of $174,000, McCaskill isn't exactly the target market.)

The FCC implemented anti-fraud measures earlier this year, requiring subscribers to prove their eligibility, canceling service if the phone is not used for 60 days, and preventing individuals from having multiple phones. The agency says it canceled 800,000 duplicate contracts and expects to save $200 million this year.

Lifeline "wreaks havoc" in the competitive market, according to Roger Entner, the founder of Recon Analytics, a wireless industry research and consulting firm. Carriers targeting the prepaid market -- one of the industry's fastest-growing segments -- can't compete with free phones.

But in the end, he thinks the safety net is worth it.

"As a country we want everyone to have communications. Without a phone, you can't get a job," Entner says. "I'm sure that Lifeline has literally saved people's lives."

http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/26/technology/mobile/tracfone-free-phones/index.html

Michigan Voters will take up the question of whether to build a new span over the Detroit River, and if the Canadian government has their way — that bridge will be built.

WWJ’s Kathryn Larson went over the border to talk with to Transport Canada’s Mark Butler for part three of her story.

Even though they’re just architectural plans right now, Butler his country is way beyond shovel ready.

“The bridge will be built with no cost to Michigan or Michigan tax payers,” said Butler. “Canada has committed to come up with those funds so, zero cost to Michigan, zero cost to Michigan tax payers, but 110 benefits.”

Canada is already knee-deep in a construction project for the Windsor Essex Parkway — an I-696-like below grade road that will funnel into the mouth of the new bridge. Butler said construction on the parkway will be completed by 2014 and is another integral part of the International Bridge Project.

Butler said the Canadian government believes one bridge isn’t enough.

“The issue that we have with the ambassador bridge is that it’s an 80-some-odd-year-old structure, it’s done yeoman’s job in providing service to Canadians and Americans traveling the border, but it is an 80-year-old structure,” said Butler.

Windsor’s Mayor Eddie Francis agreed, saying the international crossing has to happen.

“This is an economical lifeline, so the choice is very clear. If you agree with the Ambassador Bridge, then you’ve basically agreed to cut that economic lifeline,” said Francis.

Francis said 28 percent of all North American trade happens across the Detroit River, or $150 billion in industry.

“If you believe that the economic lifeline is very important and critical to our jobs, to our economy, then we have no other choice,” said Francis.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10/26/canadian-officials-say-new-bridge-to-detroit-economic-lifeline-must-happen/

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit teen who pleaded guilty to murdering his mother as she slept last February has been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.

Joshua Smith, 14, was tried as an adult in the death of his mother, 36-year-old Tamika Andrea Robinson.

Friday, his grandmother, Annie McKenzie, asked the court for leniency.

“I lost a daughter — now I’m losing a grandson as well,” McKenzie said, through tears. “I would like to ask the court to have mercy on him. He was a good boy, I don’t know what happened that night … That was not the Joshua that I know and love.”

McKenzie said she wants her grandson to know she still loves him, supports him and has forgiven him.

Joshua told police he was tired of being called names. His uncle said Joshua was a good kid who just wanted to hang out and have fun with friends and was tired of helping to care for his mother who was ill.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10/26/14-year-old-gets-25-to-50-years-in-mothers-murder/

Forget the national tracking polls and the beltway media spin, voting has begun in many of the battleground states and the numbers so far look very strong for President Obama’s re-election.

What is also becoming clearer is that African-Americans in many of these battleground states are taking advantage of early voting in significant numbers.

It’s quite possible that this surge in African-American early voting turnout is a response to voter suppression tactics implemented in battleground states. These voter ID laws disproportionately impacted minority and young voters. It’s quite possible that in an effort to avoid any hassles, black voters are getting to the polls early.

African-Americans are 26 times more likely to vote early than in person in national elections.

It’s also possible these voters are even more motivated to vote in this election after the failed attempt by Republicans to infringe on their fundamental rights. Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that early voting numbers are so high in key segments of the president’s base because of Obama’s massive get out the vote operation six years in the making.

National Field Director Jeremy Bird says that there is a common misconception about early voting. He wrote on a new Obama For America blog that, “[o]ur campaign is about inclusiveness, and we’ve always been focused on bringing new people into the process. As our supporters vote early in huge numbers around the country, we have the perfect example: We’re turning out voters who have been traditionally less likely to participate, sometimes called “sporadic” voters.

“A common misconception about early vote is that both parties have a set number of voters, and all early vote does is let some of them cast their ballots before Election Day. That’s simply not true. What early vote does is help us mobilize sporadic voters by giving them more time and more convenient ways to make their voices heard. It also broadens the universe of voters and frees up more of our get-out-the-vote resources later, especially on Election Day. When you look inside the numbers so far, among sporadic voters it’s not even close.”

By growing the electorate and targeting sporadic voters, many of whom are African-American, the Obama campaign hopes to prove the polls and conventional beltway wisdom wrong.

Nearly 6 million people have already voted and in important battleground states like North Carolina, 60 percent of the votes already cast have been in support of President Obama. Only 30 percent of early voters in North Carolina have been Romney voters.

This past Sunday, in big part thanks to “Souls to the Polls” (when African-Americans vote en masse after attending Sunday church services), over 10,000 African-Americans voted in North Carolina.

Overall, 24,000 North Carolinians have cast their ballots since early voting began 4 days ago, a total that is up 61 percent at the same point from 2008.

In another battleground with early voting, Ohio, attempts to cut back early voting time were considered a direct attempt to infringe on the “souls to the polls” tradition in many African-American communities. It’s likely the combination of suppression efforts and the push back against disenfranchisement both by the Obama campaign publicly and in court has created a scenario where more African-Americans will vote than four years ago.

Black voters may have taken their right to vote for granted but the risk of it being taken away has proven motivating.

Early voting allows for them to exercise this right at their own convenience, particularly voters with busy schedules and transportation needs.

It might be too early to know for sure whether African-American turnout will trump 2008 numbers, but there are plenty of signs, days and weeks into early voting, that they are on pace to set another record and might just win the president a second term.

http://thegrio.com/2012/10/25/why-are-african-americans-so-dominant-in-early-voting/

How badly do you want to see the Detroit Tigers win the World Series before a hometown crowd at Comerica Park?

Better consult your financial counselor first. While a recent tour of StubHub.com shows that there are thousands of World Series tickets for Games 3, 4 and 5 in Detroit available for resale, those historic memories will cost you a pretty penny.

The barrier to entry is steep. Admission to Game 3 of the World Series begins with a single game standing room only ticket priced at $345. No word on whether an enterprising Detroiter will sell sidewalk space outside the gates of Comerica Park.

Planning to roll up to Game 3 with your homies? Snatch up 12 tickets in the front row of the On Deck Circle in section 127 for the (we think) reasonable price of $5,000.

What about an entire classroom of little princesses and Lord Fauntleroys? 32 bleacher seats in row ff of section 106 can be had for $9,997. Are the hot dogs and sodas still included?

There's no way the Tigers can win the best-of-seven series without playing Game 5 in Detroit -- maybe that's why Aretha Franklin is scheduled to deliver the National Anthem (and hopefully the ballgame). Somewhat shockingly, a standing room admission ticket on Monday, Oct. 29 begins at $325 -- that's a $20 discount from Game 3!

But if you're already there, why not spring for two tickets in the stadium's premium lounge, the Motor City Casino Champion Club? You can actually sit by the '68 and '84 World Series trophies while you watch Miggs and Co. bring the 2012 hardware back to Detroit. If you don't mind the cheers from the crowds spoiling the surprises due to the televised tape delay, there are several plasma screen televisions for all your Phantom Cam slow-mo replays. Private bar and restrooms eliminates the sick feeling of being trapped in a stall when Jhonny Peralta hits a homer. Plus an all-you-can-eat dinner and dessert buffet! Better stick some dinner rolls in your pockets, since a pair on StubHub will set you back $5,000. It takes some serious green to watch the Tigers like a champion.

Just make sure you're purchasing tickets from a reputable seller. Dearborn Patch reports that police are on the lookout for Kodi Atkins, who is accused of selling fake ALCS tickets in Detroit via Craigslist under the name of "Fred." He's also been implicated in ticket scams in St. Louis and Chicago.

And if you can't muster up the moolah to make it to Adams and Witherell in person, stay current with all of our Detroit Tigers coverage and check out our slideshow of the best bars to cheer on the Tigers below.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/25/world-series-tickets-prices-detroit-tigers_n_2011003.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - As bitter cold temperatures approach, DTE Energy and The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW) are partnering to present the Week of Warmth celebration in an effort to support the distribution of more than $1 million to help needy families in Michigan.

The Week of Warmth is a series of family focused events that combine fundraising, energy education, uplifting community gatherings and convenient access to assistance resources.

This year’s even kick off Saturday at 9 a.m. at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit. Susan Sherer, CEO of THAW, says this year will definitely be different from last year’s event at Cobo Center.

“We thought that this year it would be a smarter to go where the people are, really meeting them where they are in the churches around the detroit area, so we’re going to 18 different churches,” Sherer told WWJ’s Chrystal Knight.

Week of Warmth events include:

Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Day
Saving energy, saves money. More than 125 homes in a target community will benefit from energy education and the installation of energy-saving measures like CFL bulbs, weatherization products and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 27

Night of Warm Hearts
Your warm heart can warm a home. Our annual fundraising gala features an elegant strolling dinner by Andiamo, a live auction and a line-up of exciting entertainment.
Where: The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit
When: Friday, Nov.9
Time: 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $175 per person Purchase Tickets Here

Hallelujah for Heat
More than 3,000 guests will come together to celebrate the spirit of giving at this gospel concert.
Where: Second Ebenezer Church, 14601 Dequindre Rd., Detroit
When: Saturday, November 10, 2012
Time: 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Customer Assistance Day
Funds raised during the Week of Warmth will be distributed to those in need during our Customer Assistance Day which will be held at area churches.
When: Monday, November 13, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Read more about THAW, here.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10/26/dte-energy-thaw-partner-to-help-detroiters-stay-warm-2/

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Tigers are in a 0-2 hole against the San Francisco Giants after a shutout loss Thursday night on the west coast, but now its time to bring the Fall Classic home to Comerica Park.

There’s no denying Tigers fans were utterly disappointed by the Giants leaving their home team in the dust.

Reggie Williams and Joseph Wilson, both of Detroit, were among the fans gathered at Buffalo Wild Wings in Ferndale to watch the game on the big screens.

“I don’t understand what’s going on. I mean, we start off with good pitching but the bats need to come alive. That’s the problem, the bat’s not coming alive,” Williams told WWJ’s Sandra McNeill.

“Yeah, I am mad. Fielder and Cabrera, they’ve got to hit that, they’ve got to swing at it,” said Wilson.

Nick Petkov, of Birmingham, couldn’t help but agree.

“Those guys need to come through. They’re making a lot of money so, you know, it’s about time that they come through. I mean, it’s the World Series,” he said.

Even though fans say they’ve been let down by the team’s performancethus far in the World Series, most have confidence the Tigers are going to pull it back together in Detroit.

“I think it’s real tough for the Tigers, you know, but I think we’re going to come home, we’re going to get it done and we’re going to end up winning the World Series. I’ve got faith in them,” said Scott Mack. “I think when they get home at Comerica Park and they smell that Detroit air, get that Detroit crowd going, it will work out.”

And many, many more fans are keeping the faith.

“It’s alright, we’re going to come back. They’ve got to come here so we’ll be there tomorrow and we’re going to take it,” said Mike Barr.

“They’ve got history. The Tigers are a good team and I think that they can do it. They’re only down by two games so they can definitely come back,” said Melissa Bettani.

“I’m not worried. they’re coming back to Detroit. The Tigers are going to win both games. The town is just going to erupt and they’re going to do it for the town,” said Chris Lavelle.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10/26/despite-losses-fans-say-tigers-will-bring-it-in-detroit/

Emanuel Steward, revered as one of the best trainers in boxing history and whose Kronk Gym symbolized Detroit's gritty, blue-collar boxing scene and produced numerous world champions, died on Thursday after a short illness. He was 68.

Steward, who also managed many of the fighters he trained, worked with more than two dozen champions during his decades-long career. A younger generation of boxing fans knew him as an expert analyst on HBO's boxing telecasts.

Victoria Kirton, Steward's executive assistant, told the Associated Press that Steward died in a Chicago hospital on Thursday afternoon.

Often called the Godfather of Detroit boxing, Steward was a beloved figure because of his outgoing personality, seemingly endless energy to talk about boxing with anyone who would approach him and dedication to his fighters. As a cornerman, he commanded respect because of his strategic genius and for having the knack to say the right thing at the right time in the corner during the heat of battle.

Fighters also loved him for his generosity and for the father-figure role he often played in their lives. Training fighters was not just a job for Steward. He often took fighters in to live with him in his Detroit home, training them by day and parenting them by night.

Steward was most closely identified with his work with three superstar fighters: multi-divisional world champion Thomas Hearns, who was with Steward from the beginning, former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and reigning heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Steward kept his usual busy schedule through the summer, training middleweight contender Andy Lee -- who lived with Steward -- for his loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 16 and Klitschko for his title-retaining sixth-round knockout win against Tony Thompson in their July 7 rematch. But he had been hospitalized since September, causing him to miss two HBO broadcasts, and underwent surgery. His sister, Diane Steward Jones, said the surgery was for the stomach disorder diverticulitis, although many others who knew Steward said it was for advanced cancer.

"There are no adequate words to describe the enormous degree of sadness and loss we feel at HBO Sports with the tragic passing of Manny Steward," HBO Sports president Ken Hershman said. "For more than a decade, Manny was a respected colleague who taught us so much not only about the sweet science but also about friendship and loyalty. His energy, enthusiasm and bright smile were a constant presence. Ten bells do not seem enough to mourn his passing. His contributions to the sport and to HBO will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Born in West Virginia on July 7, 1944, Steward became interested in boxing at age 8 after being given a pair of boxing gloves. When he was 12, he moved with his mother to Detroit and began training at Brewster's Gym, the famed gym that produced the great Joe Louis.

As an amateur fighter, Steward compiled a 94-3 record and won a 1963 National Golden Gloves title as a bantamweight. But his calling was as a trainer, not as a fighter.

Although Steward was schooled as an electrician, he began coaching amateur fighters as a part-time coach in 1971 at the Kronk Gym, which he helped transform from the basement of a community center into a breeding ground for professional champions, who would walk to the ring wearing the unmistakable red and gold Kronk colors.

In 1977, he led one of those amateurs into the pro ranks. It was Hearns, who became a star and with whom Steward found fame and glory.

But there were other important fighters, too, including Hilmer Kenty, who became Steward's first professional champion in March 1980 when he won a lightweight world title by stopping Ernesto Espana in the ninth round at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit.

Five months later, Hearns destroyed Pipino Cuevas in two rounds to win a welterweight title. For the next 30-plus years, Steward had a constant stable of champions, some of whom he was with from the early days of their careers and some more established fighters who sought him out because of his reputation. Other champions he trained at one time or another included Mike McCallum, Jimmy Paul, Michael Moorer, Dennis Andries, Milton McCrory, Duane Thomas, Gerald McClellan, Evander Holyfield, Oliver McCall, John David Jackson, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Oscar De La Hoya, Naseem Hamed, Jermain Taylor, Chad Dawson, Miguel Cotto, and Cornelius "K9" Bundrage.

Klitschko, who is training in Austria for a Nov. 10 title defense against Mariusz Wach, knew the gravity of Steward's illness and was forced this week to announce a replacement for Steward for the fight, tapping Steward disciple and pro heavyweight Johnathon Banks, a Kronk Gym product.

"(My brother) Vitali and I, along with the entire Team Klitschko, send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Emanuel's family and friends," Wladimir Klitschko said in a statement. "It is not often that a person in any line of work gets a chance to work with a legend. Well I was privileged enough to work with one for almost a decade."

Steward began working with Klitschko in 2004 and their first fight resulted in a knockout loss to Lamon Brewster. But under Steward's steady hand, Klitschko rebuilt himself into a heavyweight force and one of the most dominant heavyweight champions in history.

Steward got a lot of the credit for helping Klitschko mentally as much as he did for training him physically. Klitschko and Steward shared a close bond that went deeper than simply trainer and fighter.

"I will miss our time together," Klitschko said. "The long talks about boxing, the world, and life itself. Most of all I will miss our friendship. Rest in peace Emanuel. You will be greatly missed.

My team and I will carry on with the goals we had set while Emanuel was with us because that is exactly what Emanuel would have wanted. I know he will be with us in spirit along the way and we will accomplish these goals in his honor. Until we meet again my friend."

Steward trained then-welterweight champion De La Hoya in 1997.

"It brings me great grief and sadness to hear of the passing of one of the best and most respected trainers of this era, Emanuel Steward," De La Hoya said. "I learned a lot from him during our professional relationship and I will be forever grateful for his help during that time. We were also friends and I know I am going to miss him as so many others will too. He was an important part of our boxing community."

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was a friend of Steward's for since the 1980s and promoted many of the fights involving the fighters he trained.

"We are all grieving the passing of our friend Emanuel Steward," Arum said. "His founding and leadership of the Kronk Gym in Detroit was outstanding. His efforts produced many world class fighters and champions including Tommy Hearns, Milt McCrory, Michael Moorer and many more. Emanuel Steward always stood for the best that boxing could offer. He will be missed by all of us."

Although Steward was part of many big wins, he had his share of hurtful defeats. None stung him more than when Hearns was knocked out in the 14th round by Sugar Ray Leonard in the memorable 1981 welterweight championship fight. Steward said it was the most painful experience of his life, boxing or otherwise. He was also hurt by the third-round knockout loss Hearns suffered against Marvelous Marvin Hagler challenging for the middleweight title in their all-time great 1985 showdown.

Steward was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996 and was named trainer of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1993 and 1997. The BWAA voted him manager of the year in 1980 and 1989.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/8551612/emanuel-steward-famed-boxing-trainer-dies-68