Mike Tyson’s Former Trainer Dies After Battle with Cancer – ‘Great Boxing Man’

Tommy Brooks, the boxing trainer who worked with the likes of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, has passed away at the age of 71. 

Reports indicate that Brooks died after battling cancer, as he left behind a major legacy in the sport. Brooks was one of the few coaches who worked with fighters during the peak of their careers. He famously masterminded Holyfield’s victory over Tyson, while also helping the latter put that loss behind him. He also worked with the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali. Not many know that he boxed an amateur prior to this, getting two wins over Michael Spinks. Tributes have poured in far and wide. 

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“Too young. Great boxing man and even better person, he was just a solid dude. Shared many memorable nights with Tommy and his wife, Donna Duva, during the glory days of Main Events. My love and prayers to Donna and all their fam. This is now a real tough stretch of losing real boxing people. It’s getting to me,” Louis De Bella

“Tommy Brooks, former trainer of some of boxing’s biggest names in history, has passed away at 71 after a courageous battle with cancer. Tommy, born in Arkansas, was undoubtedly one of the greatest boxing trainers of all time. He built an impressive amateur career, which included two victories over Michael Spinks.

“However, in 1982, he decided to move from the center of the ring to the corner, dedicating his life to guiding some of the sport’s brightest talents: Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Mike McCallum, Vinny Pazienza, Freddie Pendleton, Junior Jones, the Klitschko brothers. “The entire WBC family and its President Mauricio Sulaimán send their deepest condolences to Tommy’s family and friends during these difficult times. We have lost a gifted teacher, a valued friend and a Great Man.”