Futch was a friend of the Brown Bomber

"It has been my passion for the last six decades to help other young men make something of themselves."

Futch came to global prominence during the Thrilla' in Manila between Frazier and Muhammad Ali in 1975.

In the 14th round he stopped the fight without knowing that Ali had won the fight on three official scorecards.

"He's a good father and I want him to see his kids grow up," Futch said of Smokin' Joe at the time.

His adversary in Ali's corner, Angelo Dundee, described Futch as a "talented, classy, and very warm human being".

Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Dundee paid another tribute from his home in Miami after hearing of Futch's death.

"Eddie Futch was a great trainer - in a class of his own - a man I looked up to," he said.

No nonsense

The trainer knew how to get the best out of his fighters, and how to handle their egos.

During one training session when Starling was being difficult, he said: "Marlon, I've taught you all you know, but I haven't taught you all I know."

Futch-trained fighters who beat Ali twice

If Futch decided he was not enjoying the company of his boxers, or they weren't responding to his methods, he left them to their own devices.

He walked out on Berbick, Starling and McCallum, and each time the champions apologised and persuaded him to return.

Even in the early days, Futch took no nonsense.

He once recalled throwing a kid called Walker Smith out of his Detroit gym. The kid eventually knuckled down, learnt his trade and changed his name - to Ray Robinson.

Although he threw the towel in on that fateful night in Manila, Futch trained both Frazier and Norton to victory over 'The Greatest'.

Light-heavyweight world champion Roy Jones Jnr, seen by many as best boxer in the world at present, suffered his only loss to Montell Griffin - trained by Futch.

Wisdom

The trainer then argued with Montell's management and walked. Jones won the subsequent re-match in the first round.

Futch was named trainer of the year by the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991 and 1992.

As well as teaching boxers to fight, he also taught them to become trainers.

Notable corner-men who have benefited from his wisdom and experience include Thel Torrance, currently working with British heavyweight hope Audley Harrison.

Futch formally retired four years ago but the sport continued to beat a path to the door of his home in Las Vegas.

"I keep getting interviewed, and I keep getting asked my opinions on fighters," he said on his 90th birthday.

Sadly, boxing writers will now have to look elsewhere for quotes.