Who is Mr. Epstein from The Contender and what is their importance?

Lou Epstein owns Epsteins’ Grocery where Alfred is employed. He is described as a friendly man, who likes and trusts Alfred but has some doubts about him after James is arrested for trying to rob the store. When Lou catches Alfred shadowboxing in the back room, he tells that he was once a fighter. Alfred then realizes that Lou was once known as Lightning Lou Epp, a pro fighter whom Donatelli had trained years before.