Famed boxing trainer Angelo Dundee dies

By Lateef Mungin, CNN

Updated 1238 GMT (2038 HKT) February 2, 2012

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Angelo Dundee helped a young Cassius Clay transform himself into the world heavyweight champion. Here he tapes the renamed Muhammad Ali's hands at a training session ahead of a 1966 bout with British champion Henry Cooper.

Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Ali's cornerman – Angelo Dundee helped a young Cassius Clay transform himself into the world heavyweight champion. Here he tapes the renamed Muhammad Ali's hands at a training session ahead of a 1966 bout with British champion Henry Cooper.

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Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Ruling the world – Dundee with Ali ahead of his successful title defense against Joe Bugner in June 1975.

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George Foreman accused Dundee of loosening the ring ropes before his famous defeat by Ali in 1974's infamous "Rumble in the Jungle" but later worked with the trainer as he retained his IBF belt in 1995.

Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Old foe – George Foreman accused Dundee of loosening the ring ropes before his famous defeat by Ali in 1974's infamous "Rumble in the Jungle" but later worked with the trainer as he retained his IBF belt in 1995.

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In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton presented Ali and Dundee with the National Italian American Foundation One America award. Born in Philadelphia, Dundee had Italian ancestry.

Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Presidential approval – In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton presented Ali and Dundee with the National Italian American Foundation One America award. Born in Philadelphia, Dundee had Italian ancestry.

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Dundee was portrayed by actor Ron Silver in the 2001 film "Ali" starring Will Smith in the title role and Jamie Foxx as assistant trainer Drew Bundini Brown.

Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Silver screen – Dundee was portrayed by actor Ron Silver in the 2001 film "Ali" starring Will Smith in the title role and Jamie Foxx as assistant trainer Drew Bundini Brown.

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Dundee had the honor of throwing the first pitch of a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2010.

Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Ball game – Dundee had the honor of throwing the first pitch of a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2010.

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Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Helping De La Hoya – Dundee helped Oscar De La Hoya train for his 2008 fight against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

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Dundee at an Ali book launch with Ken Norton in 2003. Norton broke Ali's jaw when he inflicted only his second career defeat in 1973, but lost the rematch in another split-decision.

Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

Old times' sake – Dundee at an Ali book launch with Ken Norton in 2003. Norton broke Ali's jaw when he inflicted only his second career defeat in 1973, but lost the rematch in another split-decision.

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Photos: Ali's trainer: Angelo Dundee

A good cause – Dundee signs memorabilia at the 23rd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner to Cure Paralysis in New York in September 2008.

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Story highlights

Dundee was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992
He trained Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard
'Dad lived a great life, and he did a great job living it," his son told CNN affiliate WFTS

Legendary cornerman Angelo Dundee, the man who helped motivate Muhammad Ali and many other boxing champs, died Wednesday, a source close to Ali said.

He was 90. Dundee died Wednesday in Florida from natural causes, Dundee's son Jimmy Dundee told CNN affiliate WFTS.

Dundee, known for being a supreme motivator, was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992. His biography on its website reads like a who's who list of boxing royalty.

He was hired to be Ali's trainer and cornerman in 1960 back when the brash-talking, quick-jabbing boxer went by the name Cassius Clay. Dundee was there through Ali's historic name change, his brawls with George Foreman, "Smokin" Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and Leon Spinks.

He was there all the way toward the end of Ali's career in his punishing loss to Larry Holmes in 1980. After watching Ali get battered for round after round, Dundee stopped the fight after the 10th round fighting off objections from others in the corner and the bruised and puffy-eyed Ali.

Cassius Clay, later to become known as Muhammad Ali, rose to prominence at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, where he claimed a boxing gold medal in the light heavyweight division.

Photos: Muhammad Ali: 'The Greatest' at 70