Boxing icon Emanuel Steward recuperating from surgery

The family of Emanuel Steward, the Godfather of Detroit boxing, has asked for prayers and comfort as the 68-year-old boxing icon recuperates from surgery.

"At this point, I'm asking EVERYBODY to LEAVE US ALONE so that we can comfort and communicate with Emanuel," Steward's sister Diane Steward-Jones emailed to the Free Press on Thursday.

"His surgical team just dropped by and scoffed at the reports he is dead."

Citing friends of Steward, the Free Press incorrectly reported earlier today that Steward was dead. The Free Press regrets the error, and we apologize to the Steward family.

Steward nurtured and guided the likes of Thomas Hearns, Hilmer Kenty and Milton McCrory to world titles in the 1980s at the Kronk Gym on McGraw in Detroit.

He has been hospitalized since September and underwent surgery for what his sister called diverticulitis, a stomach disorder.

A prayer vigil was held Sept. 23 in Walled Lake, Mich., leading those concerned to believe the illness may be more serious.

Brudenell writes for the Detroit Free Press