Angelo Dundee, renowned for being the trainer of Muhammad Ali in the legend's greatest fights and afterwards Sugar Ray Leonard in his pomp, has died. He was 90.

He was part psychologist, part motivator. A ring master. Stories flowed from him like punches hitting a speedball.

Dundee, one of life's bright sparks with quick quips and a master in the corner, has always been held in the highest esteem as an ambassador for boxing and a figure of integrity.

Dundee died with his family surrounding him, said his son, Jimmy Dundee, but not before being able to attend Ali's 70th birthday bash in Louisville, Kentucky, last month.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994 after a career that spanned six decades, training 15 world champions, including Leonard, George Foreman, Carmen Basilio and Jose Napoles.

Ali and Dundee would travel around the world for fights to such obscure places as Ali's October 1974 bout in Zaire against Foreman dubbed "The Rumble in the Jungle", and Ali's third fight against Joe Frazier in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, described by promoters as the "Thrilla in Manila".

Dundee, who was often asked if Ali should have retired sooner, said in an interview last year: "Should Muhammad Ali have retired earlier than he did? Shoulda . coulda . woulda .

"People like Ali find it difficult to stop when they are the centre of attraction. If they stop, then they become zeros. Fighting for 10 years, making everyone excited, they step away and then people soon say: 'Who is that guy?'

"It's hard to cut off the electricity. What I did with Muhammad in the gym one day was I saw a big heavyweight skipping the rope, stuttering, with little rhythm. 'He hasn't got the rhythm any more', I told Ali.

"I was in the car with him one day - towards the end of his career - and I said, 'You are starting to stutter', but it didn't matter. He stopped boxing when he wanted to stop. Whatever happened, happened."