Duke also trained at Stillman's Gym in New York alongside boxers such as Sugar Ray Robinson and Henry Armstrong.
[3] As a corner man, Duke helped develop top amateurs such as Jimmy Blythe, Donnie Nelson, Herb Darity, Marlon Starling and former U.S. Olympian Lawrence Clay-Bey.
Mike Oliver, one of the fighters at Duke's service, is unbeaten as a super bantamweight and won the USBO title on February 18, 2006.
That tournament is now called the Western New England Golden Gloves, and was held for the first time in Connecticut at The Colony in Vernon early 2006.
[6] Jim Jedrziewski was so captivated by Duke's stories that he decided to write a biography of the Hartford boxing coach and trainer.