Liverpuncher.com had the opportunity to sit down with the man whom would get our vote as Trainer of the Year thus far! He trained Hopkins vs. Pavlik in last years upset and Mosley vs. Margarito in this years major upset. Nazim also had the keen eye and experience to catch the Wraps Controversy on Margarito. Hear what Nazim Richardson, the Architect to these major upsets, had to say about what he saw that night.
Liverpuncher.com: Here we are with the man who many people give credit for including us at Liverpuncher.com for turning back the clock on both Bernard Hopkins AND Shane Mosley?.
What did you do to turn back the clock on your fighters? Shane looked like a lightweight!
N.Richardson: I was blessed, Shane is an exceptional athlete and so is Bernard Hopkins and I was blessed to be in position to be working with these guys and they listen. Shane really dedicated himself to the project, with all his success sometimes guys are set in their ways. He was open to everything I had to offer.
Liverpuncher.com: What is it you saw that caught your eye about Margarito?s hand wraps?
N. Richardson: I complained about the tape on the wrists because it wasn?t supposed to be up that far away and the commission agreed. Finally we got that squared away. Then I checked on his padding and it was hard, so I went to the deputy commissioner and said ?hey this is hard? and he said ?feels alright to me? but I said ?but it doesn?t feel right to me.? The commissioner agreed and checked, peeled it open and a block fell out. It was like old gauze wrapped with plaster, the Dr. said this is like what we use to make casts in the hospital. They unwrapped the other one and a block fell out of that one too.
I don?t want to take anything away from Shane?..If he [Margarito] would have walked in with a stick that night, it would have been a little tougher but he wouldn?t have beat Shane that night.
Liverpuncher.com Will you continue to train Shane? Any word on what?s next for Mosley?
N. Richardson: He said he was interested in a rematch with Miguel Cotto?.I would like to see what happens with Pacquiao vs. Hatton my recommendation would be that I would like to see him match up with Pacquiao should he get past Hatton.
Mayweather would be an excellent task too to see those two matched up with each other?.I would totally be interested in being a part of any of those tasks.
Liverpuncher.com: Everyone thought Margarito was going to win, you however saw it differently?.what was the game plan?
N. Richardson: Fortunately, I?ve been blessed to be in that position before. People thought Trinidad was too much for Hopkins?they thought Tarver was too big?.they thought Pavlik was too young. Cotto?s films too would make you believe he would be a little too much for Shane. Shane is a student of the game and prepared himself..I have to give him full credit, I respect him more now than ever before….talk about a workhorse. I put it on him, and he took it. I was trying to hold him back 2 days before the fight [w/Margarito]! Shane was ready to fight TWO people that night!
Check in for Part II where Nazim, our vote for trainer of the year, talks more on the Margarito Game Plan and his thoughts on a Mosley vs. Mayweather fight!
