Boxing Hall of Famer Duva dies at 94

One of the sport's legendary managers and trainers Lou Duva has died, age 94.

One of the sport's legendary managers and trainers Lou Duva has died, age 94. (AAP)

Boxing Hall of Famer Lou Duva, who handled the careers of 19 champions including heavyweight titlist Evander Holyfield, has died at the age of 94.

His son Dino says Duva died Wednesday of natural causes at a hospital in Paterson, where he lived.

A gruff, down-to-earth manager and trainer who was generous with his pupils, Lou Duva had a career that spanned seven decades.

Besides Olympic medalists like Holyfield, he also handled welterweight champions Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor. His first titlist was middleweight Joey Giardiello, who won his crown in 1963.

The son of Italian immigrants, Duva and his family built the promotional company Main Events into one of boxing's powerhouses.

Duva was voted "Manager of the Year" in 1985 by the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 1987, the World Boxing Association chose Duva as "Trainer of the Year."

Duva was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.