Tributes paid to trainer Angelo Dundee, the man who put Muhammad Ali on path to greatness Bob Arum, 80, Ali's promoter through much of the 1960s, said: "He was wonderful. The Greatest Coach ever," he wrote. Dundee's memory will live on for the role he played in the Ali legend - part psychologist, part PR man. He and Ali never had a bump in the road, partly because they only ever talked about boxing. Dundee left race and religion well alone. He was also the master motivator, famously helping to save Leonard from defeat to Tommy Hearns by calling out "You're blowing it son, you're blowing it" from his corner. "Angelo was great for that," trainer Freddie Roach said. He had great lines and great timing. He knew what to say and when to say it. He's one of the best motivators I've ever heard. I don't copy him so much, but I did study his work to pick up tips from him. I stole a line from him once. He was one of my idols. While Dundee's work with Leonard and Foreman cemented his status as one of the sport's greatest trainers, it was with Ali that his legend was forged. Their partnership began in Louisville, Ali's hometown, in 1959 and they remained steadfast allies until his retirement. Dundee was always more than a mere trainer, and played the publicity game to perfection. A veteran boxing writer once revealed how he and a group of fellow journalists arrived hours late for an Ali press conference at a hotel in Ireland in the 1970s. "In his room," Dundee replied. Requesting 10 minutes with The Greatest, Dundee refused. "Muhammad never speaks to the media for less than an hour," he said. With that, he took the writers to Ali's room, where Ali furnished them with enough quotes over several hours to furnish a tome. Dundee was a dream for any boxing writer. You could call him, from anywhere in the world, and he would regale you for an hour with stories with a wonderful clarity, enthusing about the sport he loved. Boxing will treasure the memories of one of the great gentlemen of the sport.