KRONK Champions
Here are just some of the World Champions, Olympians and other Champions that trained at the Original KRONK Gym or who were trained by Emanuel Steward.
-
Henry Akinwande
Steward trained the WBO heavyweight champion briefly but his commitment to Lennox Lewis was a priority and they parted ways.
-
Dennis Andries
After losing his WBC light heavyweight championship, Andries joined the
KRONK team where he eventually became a 3x WBC light heavyweight
champion. -
Johnathon Banks
Joined the KRONK team as an amateur and went on to win the IBO
cruiserweight title and the NABO heavyweight title. Before Emanuel
Steward passed away, he personally picked Banks to carry on training his
World Heavyweight Champion, Wladimir Klitschko. -
Leeonzer Barber
Highly talented boxer who won the WBO light heavyweight
championship. -
Wilfred Benítez
Often considered the “fifth king” of the 80’s, Benítez trained with Steward at the KRONK West gym in Arizona.
-
Jesse Benavides
A highly accomplished amateur from Texas who went on to become the WBO world champion with KRONK.
-
Mark Breland
Trained with Steward and the KRONK team before the 1984 Olympics. After
winning 2 welterweight world titles, Breland made two successful
comebacks training with Steward at KRONK. Mark was one of Emanuel’s most
dear and close boxers he ever trained. -
Shannon Briggs
Trained briefly with Steward including a very under rated war with Frans Botha.
-
Cornelius Bundrage
KRONK’s last world champion from the original 5555 McGraw
location. A 2x IBF world champion. -
Gabby Canizales
Under Steward Gabby has a successful comeback when most thought he was past his prime and won the WBO world championship.
-
Oba Carr
Turned pro while still a senior in high school and was the first fighter
to sign to USA TNF series. Arguably the greatest welterweight to never
win a world title. -
Julio César Chávez
After Chavez suffered his first career loss, Chavez hired Steward where they went 3-0 defeating Frankie Randall in the rematch, defeating Meldrick Taylor in their rematch and finally Tony Lopez.
-
Kermit Cintron
Steward trained Cintron who was a natural many said for the “KRONK style” that combined his solid basic boxing fundamentals and exciting ability to deliver knockouts.
-
Miguel Cotto
A great chemistry was immediate with Cotto and Steward. Cotto won the WBA jr. middleweight championship with Steward.
-
Chad Dawson
Slick boxing light heavyweight who trained at the KRONK Metatal Street gym in Detroit.
-
Oscar De La Hoya
Trained with Steward for David Kumau and Hector Camacho fights. Many in the media said that Steward and Oscar was a dangerous combination that could have been one of the best in boxing history.
-
Johnny de la Rosa
Exciting top ranked boxer who trained with Steward at KRONK West and Detroit.
-
Jeff Fenech
A 3 time world champion and hall of famer, he was one of Emanuel’s favorite boxers, trained Fenech during his comeback going 3-0.
-
Tyson Fury
Came to Detroit to train at KRONK at the request of his cousin Andy Lee. Steward accurately predicted Fury would go on to dominate the heavyweight division after Wladimir Klitschko. He is trained by Steward’s nephew, Sugar Hill Steward.
-
Yuriorkis Gamboa
Exciting world champion who worked with Steward.
-
Mickey Goodwin
Hard hitting slugger who was KRONK’s first local Detroit start before Tommy Hearns. Once a top ranked middleweight contender.
-
Miguel Ángel González
Hired Steward to be an expert trainer for the fight against Oscar De La Hoya.
-
Naseem Hamed
A fun and fantastic trainer/fighter relationship. Naz performed in
spectacular fashion under Steward. -
Thomas Hearns
‘The Hitman’ won 6 world championships including welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight. He also captured minor titles in the cruiserweight division.
-
John David Jackson
WBO junior middleweight champion who fought out of KRONK West.
-
Anthony Baby Jones
A Detroit fan favorite who challenged for the lightweight world championship two times with Steward.
-
Hilmer Kenty
KRONK’s first world champion who won the WBA lightweight championship.
-
Evander Holyfield
Holyfield was 2-0 with Steward in the corner including his memorable rematch vs Riddick Bowe where he regained the heavyweight championship.
-
Kady King
Hard punching light heavyweight and North American champion who
eventually challenged for the WBO light heavyweight championship. -
Ole Klemetsen
A superstar in his native Norway. Ole won titles in the light heavyweight division.
-
Wladimir Klitschko
With Steward Wlad had one of the longest reigns in heavyweight
history second to Joe Louis. -
Vitali Klitschko
Under Steward he won a minor heavyweight title.
-
Andy Lee
One of Emanuel’s favorite fighters, Lee traveled to Detroit from Ireland
and went on to become the WBO middleweight champion of the world. -
William "Caveman" Lee
Hard hitting middleweight unfortunately is best known for a title losing effort vs Marvin Hagler.
-
Lennox Lewis
Arguably the greatest fighter trainer relationship in boxing history
along side Steward and Hearns. Together history was made as Lennox
defeated every boxer he ever faced in the ring including avenging his
only 2 career losses vs McCall and Rahman with Steward. -
Frankie Liles
Went on to become the super middleweight champion after leaving KRONK.
-
Oliver McCall
Steward guided McCall to a shocking upset over champion Lennox Lewis before joining Team Lewis.
-
Mike McCallum
Trained at KRONK but left due to the fact his hall of fame talent were being over shadowed by Hearns and McCrory.
-
Gerald McClellan
Perhaps one of the most talented fighters Emanuel ever trained.
With KRONK he won the WBO and WBC middleweight championships. -
Milton McCrory
KRONK’s first Detroit born world champion, WBC welterweight world champion.
-
Michael Moorer
With Steward in his corner Moorer was one of the most feared punchers in light heavyweight history winning the WBO championship at both light heavyweight and heavyweight.
-
Eddie Mustapha Muhammad
Light heavyweight world champion who trained with Steward before eventually retiring becoming a very successful trainer himself.
-
Andrew Murray
A talented world champion trained under Steward and helped to give a solid boost to his impressive career.
-
Welcome Ncita
Known as "The Hawk," a former South African professional boxer
celebrated for his swift and tactical prowess in the ring. He held the IBF Junior Featherweight title from 1990 to 1992. -
Danell Doc Nicholson
1992 Us Olympian who went on to become a top ranked heavyweight contender with Steward.
-
Jimmy Paul
One of KRONK’s first world champions who Steward from amateur champion to IBF lightweight world champion.
-
Aaron Pryor
Pryor hired Steward to train him for his rematch victory over Alexis Arguello.
-
Graciano Rocchigiani
Rocky hired Steward to train him for 2 fights going 1-1 with the loss being a HIGHLY controversial loss to Darius Michaelschzki.
-
Tarick Salmaci
Guided Salmaci to the 1992 Olympic Trials and eventually a top 10 world ranking as a pro and the North American championship.
-
Adonis Stevenson
Hard punching and super exciting, Superman was the WBC light heavyweight world champion.
-
Jermain Taylor
Steward trained the undisputed middleweight champion Taylor during his reign as champion.
-
Duane Thomas
One of KRONK’s first world champions who began with Steward was an
amateur. He went on to win the WBC junior middleweight championship. -
Tony Tucker
Qualified for the 1980 Olympics with Steward and eventually went on to win the IBF heavyweight championship.