The gloves are passing to a new generation at Kronk Boxing Gym.
Steward, who earned global stature, died from cancer Oct. 25 at 68. ""He was my uncle, but he was like my father," the 41-year-old Hill tells Niyo.
The nephew is searching for a new home for the gym and for money to buy it from Steward's estate, according to The News sportswriter.
Hill, a former Detroit police officers, is Banks' trainer as well as prospective business partner. Banks, a three-time national amateur champion, is ranked No. 3 in boxing's heavyweight division, Niyo writes.
Banks first met the legendary trainer as a promising 15-year-old talent. . . . "There was so much going on down there. It was like an amusement park. It was a new world." . . .
He turned pro in 2004 after missing out on a berth on the U.S. Olympic team.
The boxer considered Steward more than a trainer.
"I learned so much from that man," Banks said. "Me and Emanuel always had long conversations. He'd come knock on my room door and he'd come in and we'd talk for hours. . . . I'm happy I listened to him all that time. . . .
"The one thing that might cut my boxing career short," said Banks, "is the stuff that I want to do in Emanuel's name."
