Boxing’s Braverman Dies at 78

Al Braverman, a longtime boxing manager and promoter who spent the last 22 years of his life working for Don King, died over the weekend from complications of diabetes. He was 78.

Braverman, unbeaten as a heavyweight from 1938-41, was a Runyonesque character of the kind that thrived during the 1940s and ‘50s, particularly in New York.

A cornerman and trainer, he went to work for King in 1975 as director of boxing, negotiating contracts for King-promoted fights.

“He brought the mashed face and the mashed pronunciation into the ‘90s,” said longtime boxing expert Bert Sugar.

Among the 30 boxers he managed, five fought for world titles, including Billy Bossio, Carlos Ortiz, Jimmy Dupree, Frankie DePaula and Chuck Wepner.

Wepner, known as “The Bayonne Bleeder,” fought Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight championship in 1975. The fight was won by Ali in the 15th round.

Earlier, Wepner went nine rounds with Sonny Liston, incurring cuts that needed 75 stitches.

Liston was asked after the fight if Wepner was the bravest opponent he’d ever faced.

“No,” Liston said, “but his manager is.”

Braverman is survived by his wife Renee, with whom he was a partner in an antique store; a son Gary; a daughter Cory; two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A funeral will be held Tuesday at Paramus, N.J.