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, 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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 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.
  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.
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