Connect with us

Featured Articles

Prominent Trainer Ronnie Shields Reflects on a Life in Boxing

Published

on

Shields

Ronnie Shields never thought boxing would be his life.

After a stalwart amateur career consisting of over 260 bouts and 33 professional fights, Shields called it quits in 1988 only to be called into action to work the pads as a trainer for various boxers in Houston that he called friends.

Shields (pictured with junior middleweight title-holder Erislandy Lara) had always loved working with other fighters, even when he was a fighter himself.

“When I was an amateur fighter we had like 35 fighters and only five coaches. So what they used to do is make us do pads with each other. I really liked doing that. We had to work each other’s corners.”

In the professional ranks, nothing changed.

“Even when I turned pro, I was helping guys out and making game plans and stuff like that. I’ve always done it.”

But when Shields stopped fighting after a unanimous decision loss to William Releford in 1988, he thought his time in the sport was over. He didn’t even bother to talk to anyone about his decision. The final fights of his career were just too painful. He had too many injuries. He couldn’t throw a good jab anymore. He needed cortisone injections just to make it to the ring for his last ten fights.

“I didn’t consult with anybody but myself.”

Shields went out to get a job like regular people do but his friends just kept calling him to work the pads. One day, Lou Duva came to visit Willie Savannah’s gym in Houston. He saw Shields working the pads with various fighters and asked him if he’d like to come work with his stable of fighters at Main Events, including Evander Holyfield and Mark Breland. Shields was surprised at the offer but remained undeterred.

“I said nah, I’ll just get me a job.”

But persistence paid off. Duva was back a month later with the same offer. Perhaps seeing the work of fate in his life, Shields decided to give it a go.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to do this for the rest of my life, but I decided to try it.”

The first day Shields was sent to work eight rounds of pads with then heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Holyfield loved the way the two worked together. The champ told Shields it was exactly the kind of thing he needed to be ready for his next fight. Soon, other fighters were getting in on what Shields had to offer.

“I must of done 50 rounds of pads that day. It just stuck.”

The rest is history. Shields knows his life is boxing now. He said he’s happy with the decision he made back in 1988 to retire and even happier to have accepted Duva’s offer to help train his fighters.

“I know this is my life now. There’s nothing else.”

Shields’ first go at being lead trainer was with Vernon Forrest back in 1989. Forrest was good friends with Holyfield and came to the gym one day to spar stable mate Pernell Whitaker.

“Holyfield asked me to do the pads with [Forrest]. We became tight, and he called me up and asked me to be his trainer.”

Today, Shields’ stable of fighters at Plex boxing gym in Houston includes Lara, who risks his world title against undefeated Terrell Gausha at Barclays Center on Oct. 14, and middleweight contender Jermall Charlo, who recently vacated his junior middleweight crown to move up in weight to 160.

What started as just some pad work with random fighters at a boxing gym turned into Shields lifetime legacy. He was the World Boxing Hall of Fame’s Trainer of the Year in 2003. Today he is one of the most well-known trainers in boxing.

Shields said his time as a professional fighter helps him know what to do for his fighters and how best to be his fighters’ advocate.

 I remember that like it was yesterday,” said Shields about his first loss in 1981. “It shouldn’t have been a loss. We went to Mexico City. My manager was good friends with this guy he knew…so they decided to go to Mexico City.”

The decision turned into an unwinnable fight in the suffocating altitude of Mexico City.

“We didn’t know how high the attitude was. We figured a week was good to go and get acclimated but the first time we ran I almost died.”

Undefeated at the time, Shields remembers how quickly his body fell apart as the rounds of the fight progressed. If only he had an advocate like he’s become for his fighters. Shields said he would never bring a fighter to such high altitude without going down two or three weeks early to acclimate.

“It was crazy. I remember in the fight, the first round I almost stopped the guy. In the second round, the same thing [happened]. I was killing this dude.”

The referee was about the stop the fight, but he let the Mexican fighter continue.

“In the fourth round, I couldn’t breathe at all. I was sucking air. I couldn’t do nothing. I went back to the corner and said I couldn’t breathe so we stopped it in between rounds.”

Shields said he wished he had a manager and trainer back then that knew the kinds of things he knows now. Shields said he had to learn the hard way, but that his fighters today benefit from that knowledge.

“I know a fighter needs two or three weeks in a place like that.”

Shields was a professional fighter for eight years. His overall record was 26-6-1 and he twice challenged for the WBC junior welterweight championship. Since then, he has taken the hard luck lessons he learned as a fighter into teaching. He has been a boxing trainer for almost thirty years and has worked with some of the best fighters in the business including Holyfield, Whitaker, Forrest, Mike Tyson and Arturo Gatti. Boxing is Shields’ life and it’s been a very good one.

“I’m in it for good now. This is it. I’m too old to do something else.”

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel.

To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles16 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles16 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending