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

• Bernard Hopkins
• Shane Mosley^[2]
• Karl Dargan (nephew of Naazim Richardson)
• Badr Hari
• Yusaf Mack (worked the corner)
• Sergio Martinez (corner adviser for fight vs. Julio César Chávez Jr.)
• Steve Cunningham