Naazim Richardson

Naazim Richardson (November 26, 1965 – July 24, 2020) was an American boxing trainer from Philadelphia. Richardson is most notable for training Bernard Hopkins and "Sugar" Shane Mosley, in addition to Steve Cunningham and Karl Dargan.[1][2] He is also known for catching Antonio Margarito with plaster knuckle pads in his hand wraps prior to Margarito's fight with Mosley.[3] This led to Margarito's one-year suspension from boxing.[4]

Early life

Richardson was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and left home when he was 14.[5] He was jailed as a teenager.[5] According to The New York Times, "Boxing took Richardson from the streets that almost swallowed him in north Philadelphia, gave him energy and purpose."[5] He was a head trainer in the Concrete Jungle in Philadelphia, and was also a trainer in several gyms across Philadelphia.[6] Richardson worked under Bouie Fisher for a while.[7] His son Rock Allen was a boxer prior to a car accident.[8]

Career

A devout Muslim, Richardson was often acknowledged as "Brother" Naazim.[9] In 2007, Richardson suffered a stroke that temporarily left him unable to walk or speak.[5]

Soon after returning to boxing,[when?] Richardson became "Sugar" Shane Mosley's trainer for three of the biggest fights of the boxer's career: his win over Antonio Margarito and his losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Notable fighters trained or advised by Richardson

References

  1. ^ "Trainer Naazim Richardson has defied the odds". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Shane Mosley: The day I almost KO'd Floyd Mayweather". ESPN.com. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  3. ^ Silverman, Steve. "Boxing's 4 Most Infamous Cheaters of All Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Margarito license revoked for plaster-like wraps". ESPN.com. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Bishop, Greg (2010-04-29). "Shane Mosley's Trainer Is at Home in the Gym". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  6. ^ "Trainer Naazim Richardson has defied the odds". philly.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014.
  7. ^ "Famed trainer Richardson dies after long illness". 24 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Flashback — Rock Allen, Naazim Richardson and the Concrete Jungle". 5 January 2016.
  9. ^ Idec, Keith (July 24, 2020). "Naazim Richardson, Trainer of Bernard Hopkins & Shane Mosley, Has Died". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.