Edition: U.S. / Global

Al Braverman, 78, a Fixture On Boxing Scene Since the 30's

Published: July 7, 1997

Al Braverman, a former boxer, fight manager and trainer who spent the last two decades as an aide to the promoter Don King, died on Saturday. He was 78.

The cause was complications from diabetes.

Mr. Braverman, unbeaten as a heavyweight from 1938-41, was a throwback, a Runyonesque character of the kind who thrived in New York during the 1940's and 1950's.

Mr. Braverman 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 90's,'' said Bert Sugar, a boxing expert.

Mr. 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.

Among the 30 boxers Mr. Braverman managed, 5 fought for world titles -- 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.

Before the fight, won by Ali in the 15th round, Mr. Braverman told reporters that he had a salve that he put on the fighter's face to keep him from bleeding. No chemist had ever been able to completely break down the compound, Mr. Braverman said with a straight face.

''But Al,'' someone asked, ''won't they complain about using a foreign substance?''

''It ain't a foreign substance,'' Mr. Braverman replied. ''It's made right here in the United States.''

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 had ever faced.

''No,'' Liston said, ''but his manager is.''