The last time well-respected trainer Naazim Richardson was spotted on the grandest of stages was in early May when he worked the corner of his charge ?Sugar? Shane Mosley in their attempt to upend the undefeated streak of Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Despite being held in high esteem, Richardson doesn?t work with a long list of high-profile athletes and instead of being in the news on a constant basis he instead seems to make cameo appearances.
Earlier this month Richardson helped Steve Cunningham in his title-winning effort against Troy Ross in Mecklenburg, Germany. ‘USS’ Cunningham is now a champion for a second time and despite his fighter suffering a few shaky moments Richardson felt that the fight went in the direction he expected. Upon arriving home from the States, Richardson claims he was happy to go back to his Philadelphia stomping grounds and enjoy some time with his family.
There are still several question marks surrounding Mosley, however, who was unsuccessful in his bid to defeat Mayweather as the Pomona, California fighter lost a clear decision. Following the loss, Mosley?s sixth in 53 fights, people have been speculating about just how much Shane has left to give to his career and how effective he would be following his recent defeat. Richardson reveals that upon returning home he touched bases with his good friend and still feels confident in their future together.
?I hadn?t had contact with him but I talked to him briefly the other day,? Richardson states. ?Shane is prepared to do what he has to do. All losses are hard now, but the thing is that Shane didn?t get hurt in that particular fight. We weren?t bused up or bleeding or anything of that nature. I actually felt that my guy probably hurt him more times in the fight than he hurt my guy.?
Despite losing in convincing fashion, Mosley will still be remembered for his second round statement in which he staggered Floyd with a crisp right hand that had the Grand Rapids native in serious trouble. Mayweather appeared to be in more trouble in that second stanza than at any previous point in his professional career yet he was able to recuperate and turn the tide. Reflecting on how everything played out, Richardson reveals that he had visions well beforehand.
?Each individual is different,? Richardson says of Mayweather. ?The thing is that I saw a pattern in Mayweather in other fights and I felt that Shane would be able to chop him and hit him with the right hand. So that?s what I told people is that we would hit him with the right hand and he would turn into the dragon and he made the adjustments. I wasn?t surprised when he hurt him and I wasn?t surprised when he responded the way he did. That?s what I anticipated. Me and Shane had worked on that.?
It?s hard to recall Shane being as out of his element more than he was in the second half of his fight against Mayweather. In those rounds Mayweather controlled the action with his movement and precise punching, catching Shane with some noticeably clean right hands along the way. Despite the fight appearing to slip away Richardson fully believed that Mosley needed to be in there the entire duration for a fusillade of reasons.
?I never questioned Shane Mosley because we were the puncher and Mayweather is a talented guy but he can?t punch,? Richardson says. ?Shane proved that he could hurt this particular man. Sometimes people prove they can hurt a lot of people but they can?t prove they can hurt that man. Shane has also proven he can knock people out in the late rounds so he earned the right to continue to fight.?
It was recently announced that Mosley will indeed be returning and has a September 18th date with Sergio Mora locked in at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The former Contender alum has tasted championship glory before, defeating the late Vernon Forrest in June of 2008, and is coming off an excellent 7th round stoppage over Calvin Green on the Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones rematch this past April at the Mandalay Bay.
?Sergio is a talented athlete,? Richardson claims. ?He?s not a big puncher so he has had to develop other attributes. He?s a slick boxer and he?s a crafty kid, a determined kid. He has long reach and range and he?s a test for anybody out there. I think that kind of fight depends on how we fight and I wouldn?t count Shane Mosley out in any fight.?
While it is obvious that Richardson isn?t taking Mora lightly, you can still sense a bit of resentment in his voice. Elaborating further, Richardson reveals that he would have loved for Mosley to tangle with Floyd again and points to a few recent fights where fighters turned the tables the second time around.
?Paul Williams showed up against Quintana but got a rematch,? Richardson says. ?In the rematch he knocked Quintana out. Zab Judah lost to Cory Spinks and hurt him, but didn?t do enough to beat him. He gets a rematch and he was able to get to Cory. It?s not an injustice but it?s unfortunate that Shane doesn?t have a rematch when he is as competitive as he has shown. Everybody has a bad night. It?s unfortunate that my guy had an awkward night but we can?t make any excuses for it. That?s why we fight the fights.?
Throughout his career Shane Mosley has always shown the ability to bounce back and shock the public with career-reviving performances. After he lost to twice to both Forrest and Winky Wright he fought terrific battles against Fernando Vargas in 2006. And when he was thought to be nearly shot after struggling against Ricardo Mayorga in September of 2008 he reminded everyone of his greatness four months later with his battering of Antonio Margarito. It?s a testament to the hunger and desire that has always been within him as a fighter.
By the time September 18th rolls around Mosley will be 39 years old and will again be questioned by people within the sport. Now more than ever there appear to be a healthy list of combatants willing to face Shane but Richardson closes out by issuing a warning that his fighter has a lot more to give.
?Shane Mosley fought Margarito and nobody wanted to fight him for over a year. He sat down for sixteen months. Now all of a sudden Shane?s name pops up as people being interested to fight [him]. I don?t look at it as a negative; it?s a positive for Shane. Ok, things have changed now. They can get a piece of Shane if they want to. I have worked with Shane and you can think he?s worn out if you want to but I promise he?ll be picking off some of these guys.?
Throughout his professional career Shane Mosley has shown tremendous ability and determination. Click on the collage below for a picture by picture look at Shane?s more telling moments?
