By Eric Thomas: Earlier today the internet was swamped with reports that legendary trainer Emanuel Steward having died in a Chicago based hospital. However, the reports were premature, as Steward is still alive according to his family members.

The Detroit Free press had this quote: “His [Steward] surgical team just dropped by and scoffed at the reports he is dead.”

Steward is still recovering from stomach surgery for diverticulitis in a Chicago hospital where he’s been laid up since September. It’s unclear what Steward’s status is at this time.

** Update** Steward passes away.

Emanuel Steward held on as long as he could but unfortunately he passed away today at the age of 68 in a Chicago hospital. While there’s still no official word about what Steward was suffering from it’s thought that he was suffering from terminal cancer. Steward has done a lot for boxing with his Kronk gym in Detroit, as well as the many top fighters that he trained. In recent years, he worked for HBO as an analyst and was one of the best members of the broadcast team despite not having any training for the broadcast field. He was a natural and well liked.

Steward leaves behind a lot of loved ones and it’s going to be difficult for them to be without the man. Steward also leaves behind IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who was still uncompleted project when Steward first took over the training helm with him in 2004, but is now widely considered the best heavyweight in boxing.

It’s going to be difficult for Wladimir to replace what he’s lost with Steward and it’s doubtful that he’ll ever find anyone that can replace him fully. Steward seemed to have so much life in him and I’m sure he felt he wasn’t ready to depart this world yet. We’re all going to miss him dearly.