Tommy Brooks dead at 71: Legendary boxing coach who trained Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield dies after battle with cancer
Brooks was a national champion as an amateur and had a respectable 7-3 record as a pro but became better known for his work as a trainer.
He coached former heavyweight stars Evander Holyfield and Tyson and Lou DiBella, the famous promoter, confirmed the sad news on Tuesday.
He wrote on X: 'Got more bad news a little while ago. It was just confirmed by his family that esteemed #boxing trainer Tommy Brooks died tonight, after having fought a very aggressive cancer.
'Too young. Great boxing man and even better person, he was just a solid dude.
'Shared many memorable nights with Tommy and his wife, Donna Duva, during the glory days of Main Events.
'My love and prayers to Donna and all their fam. This is now a real tough stretch of losing real #boxing people. It's getting to me.'
Brooks was Holyfield's coach during the 90s and 2000s, also working with Iron Mike during the 2000s.
Ironically, it had been him who helped Holyfield beat Tyson in their infamous couple of encounters before helping the defeated fighter come back.
Tyson and Brooks split in 2002 following the powerful American heavyweight's defeat by British star Lennox Lewis.
Holyfield and Tyson weren't the only big names on Brooks' coaching CV.
He also spent time with both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, working alongside the iconic Ukrainian brothers.
Brooks will be remembered for his brilliant technical and psychological expertise during one of heavyweight boxing's most colourful eras.
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