PATERSON, N.J. — Lou Duva, the Boxing Hall of Famer who handled the careers of 19 champions including heavyweight Evander Holyfield, died Wednesday. He was 94.

The colorful Duva died of natural causes at a hospital in Paterson, where he lived, his son said in a statement released by the family.

A gruff, down-to-earth manager and trainer who was generous with his pupils, Lou Duva had a career that spanned seven decades. Besides Holyfield, he also handled fellow 1984 Olympians Pernell Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor. His first titlist was middleweight Joey Giardiello, who won his crown in 1963.

Duva and his family built the promotional company Main Events in 1978.