Obituary of Louis D Duva

Duva, Louis D. age 94 on March 8, 2017. Born in Manhattan, New York, he moved to Paterson in 1936, then to Totowa in 1957. Lou was a Boxing Promoter/Manager/Trainer for Lou Duva Management Inc., Totowa. In 1938, he decided that his best opportunity to escape his harsh circumstances was to join the C.C.C.–the Civilian Conservation Corps. However, Lou faced one obstacle: A corp. volunteer had to be at least 18 years old. Lou was only 16. Obstacles meant little to Lou. He doctored his birth certificate, altering the year of his birth from 1922 to 1920. Lou's scam worked. Within days he was sent to Boise, Idaho, and from there to Walla Walla, Washington where he learned to drive a truck. In his early years, Lou was not only a truck driver, but also owned a trucking business, was a Bail Bondsman, and was a Teamsters Union President before entering boxing. Additionally, he was a World War II Army veteran and a member of the Riverside Veterans Organization. During the years that Lou Duva has been in the boxing business, he has worked as a bucket boy, fought as a welterweight, served as a cut man, trained, and promoted world title fights and, today, is recognized as one of the outstanding managers and trainers in the sport. Voted "Manager of the Year" by the Boxing Writers Assn. of America for bringing Mike McCallum, Rocky Lockridge, Johnny Bumphus and Livingstone Bramble to world championships during 1984. Duva has since gone on to help guide five 1984 Olympic Medalists closer to their ultimate professional goals, as well as bringing two other former amateur standouts to world title fights. The year 1989 was a huge year for Lou's boxing stable as three fighters won titles: Pernell Whitaker, Darrin Van Horne and John-John Molina. In 1990, the dream of Lou and Rocky Marciano came true: a Lou Duva trained fighter won the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. On the night of October 25, 1990, Evander Holyfied battled James "Buster" Douglas–the man who had dethroned the seemingly invincible Mike Tyson. In round three Holyfield landed a devastating overhand right to the head of Douglas, dropping the champion to the canvas. Unable to arise, Douglas was counted out (KO 3). For his contributions to the sport of boxing, Lou Duva has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, the NJ Sports Hall of Fame, and various other halls of fame in different states. Lou is the beloved husband of the late Enes B. (nee Rizio) Duva (1986). Loving father of Dino L. Duva & his wife, Margi of Bloomfield, Donna Brooks & her husband, Tom of Wayne, Denise Mac Phail of Little Falls, Deanne Boorman & her husband Michael of Wayne and the late Daniel S. Duva (1996). Dear father in law of Kathy Duva of Little Falls. Also survived by 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandsons. Lou is the last of 7 siblings to survive. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Monday at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. Mary's RC Church, Paterson at 10:00 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Friends may visit Sunday 3:00 - 7:00 PM. For those who wish, donations to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center Foundation, 703 Main Street, Paterson, NJ would be appreciated. For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com.