Ronnie Shields Archives

Exclusive: Ronnie Shields On The Great Pernell Whitaker, His Aims For Efe Ajagba

August 18, 2019August 18, 2019 by James Slater

Ronnie Shields - Ronnie Shields is arguably the finest U.S boxing trainer right now. Modest as can be, the former fighter from Texas has worked with a big number of greats, including: Pernell Whitaker, Vernon Forrest, Mike Tyson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, David Tua and others.

Ronnie Shields is arguably the finest U.S boxing trainer right now. Modest as can be, the former fighter from Texas has worked with a big number of greats, including: Pernell … Read more

Chavez makes weight, Salido doesn’t

February 28, 2014February 28, 2014 by Joseph Herron

From the concourse in front of the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Julio Cesar Chavez Junior dodged the first bullet from the proverbial gun of his detractors by comfortably making the contracted Super Middleweight limit of 168 pounds.

Both Chavez and Vera weighed in at approximately 167.5 pounds, with both men looking strong and having more than enough time to replenish and rehydrate, due to the unusually early 2PM EST weigh in time. After the former WBC Middleweight title holder successfully made weight, Junior held a giant replica of a voided cashiers check made out to Bryan Vera to the sum of $250,000.00.

Chavez Junior had very little to say after the official weigh in concluded.

Ronnie Shields: “Edwin ‘La Bomba’ Rodrgiuez is cut from the same cloth as Holyfield, Tyson, and Whitaker”

November 12, 2013November 12, 2013 by Joseph Herron

Video by Carlos Sacriste – On November 16th, at the Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, California, undefeated Super Middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (24-0, 16 KOs) will take his first step in achieving boxing immortality when he challenges incumbent title holder Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (for his Super WBA 168 pound championship.

In this revealing and intimate video featurette, Edwin Rodriguez, legendary trainer Ronnie Shields, and expert conditioning coach Danny Arnold discuss the Super Middleweight title challenger’s preparation for the highly anticipated championship contest.

While most fight fans and boxing writers are heavily favoring the reigning title holder on November 16th, Edwin’s prolific trainer truly believes that his fighter is unlike anything Ward has ever seen in the ring.

Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez: Game on

October 29, 2013October 28, 2013 by Joseph Herron

ward1 In the sport of boxing, the first shots of battle are often fired long before a single punch is ever thrown in the squared circle.

On November 16th, two genuine “good guys” of the sport will tangle to decide 168 pound supremacy when universally recognized Super Middleweight Champion Andre “S.O.G.” Ward steps in the ring with undefeated contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez.

Despite the positive and sportsmanlike reputation both combatants have garnered throughout their respective amateur and professional careers, an unexpected issue has worked its way into the pre-fight banter.

During the first official press conference, which took place in Manhattan Beach, California, on September 28th, announcing the big Super Middleweight showdown, Rodriguez declared that he would indeed be participating in the “24/7/365” drug testing program administered by VADA, Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, and publicly challenged the historically outspoken anti-drug advocate to get involved with the same program before the date of their highly anticipated championship contest.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Bryan Vera agree to 173 pound weight limit and 10 round contest

September 26, 2013September 25, 2013 by Joseph Herron

chavez8 According to trainer Ronnie Shields, successful negotiations have taken place to append a new weigh-in limit for the big Saturday night showdown between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (46-1-1, 32 KOs) of Culiacan, Mexico and Bryan Vera (23-6, 14 KOs) of Austin, Texas.

After the fight card’s final press conference convened this afternoon at the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, both parties, including promoters Top Rank, Inc. and Banner Promotions, reached an accord binding both combatants to a new weigh in limit of 173 pounds for this Friday afternoon’s weigh in ceremony.

Although the added weight limit came as no surprise to most media members who had been following the current Chavez/Vera novella, veteran trainer Ronnie Shields made a surprise stipulation within the new fight agreement.

Ronnie Shields remembers Omar Henry

February 6, 2013February 5, 2013 by ESB

By Joseph Herron: On Friday, February 1st, Junior Middleweight prospect Omar Henry passed away at age 25, after battling gallbladder cancer for the past three months.

After learning of the tragic news, trainer Ronnie Shields expressed his sympathy for his former fighter on this Sunday’s edition of “The Pugilist KOrner’s: Weekend Wrap”.

“I trained Omar Henry in the beginning of his professional career, and we always had a lot of fun in the gym. He was a fun-loving and jovial character. He was always making people laugh and telling jokes.”

Ronnie Shields: “Erislandy Lara would have knocked out Vanes Martirosyan in the 10th or 11th”

September 15, 2016November 12, 2012 by ESB

By Joseph Herron: Last night on “The Pugilist KOrner’s: Weekend Wrap”, veteran trainer Ronnie Shields shared his thoughts regarding Erislandy Lara’s (17-1-2, 11 KOs) technical draw with Vanes Martirosyan (32-0-1, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Although the Cuban exile didn’t take full advantage of his opportunity to meet Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2013, Mr. Shields is very proud of his Junior Middleweight star for fighting through a very unexpected situation.

“What most people didn’t realize was that Erislandy injured his right hand in the first round,” proclaims Ronnie Shields. “After the first round, he came back to the corner and whispered something into his manager Luis Decubas Jr’s ear. I didn’t find out until after the second round had started that Erislandy severely injured his right hand in the opening round.”

“I told Erislandy to just box Vanes and feel him out for the first few rounds. That was the primary game-plan anyway. I wanted to see what Freddie Roach had planned for Martirosyan to begin the fight. I had a feeling that they were going to have Vanes uncharacteristically fight while moving forward, because they felt Erislandy wasn’t as effective fighting while backing up.”

Trainer Ronnie Shields: “Emanuel Steward was unbelievable”

September 15, 2016October 30, 2012 by ESB

By Joseph Herron – On Thursday afternoon, October 27 th , the boxing world learned the tragic news of the untimely passing of boxing legend Emanuel Steward.

While every boxing pundit felt the loss of the all time great fight trainer, maybe none more profoundly than expert trainer Ronnie Shields. The lifelong boxing proponent initially met Emanuel when he was competing as an amateur boxer at age 13.

After their early encounter, the mutual friendship grew over several decades and was based on a genuine fondness and deep rooted respect for each other.

Ronnie shared his personal feelings on the air during Sunday night’s episode of “The Pugilist KOrner’s: Weekend Wrap”.

“Thursday was probably one of the worst days I’ve ever experienced in my entire life,” admits expert trainer Ronnie Shields.

Trainer Ronnie Shields: “Boxing needs Emanuel Steward”

September 14, 2016September 24, 2012 by ESB

By Joseph Herron: Boxing is a symbiant industry and is very much like a family, in which everyone involved depends on each other. Currently, one of the sport’s most prominent figures is in need of prayer from the entire boxing community.

According to sources close to Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, the boxing icon underwent surgery last week to repair an undisclosed stomach ailment and is currently in recovery at an unnamed location.

While ambiguity encases the 68 year old boxing legend’s condition, everyone associated with the beloved trainer is absolutely certain that the world of boxing is a much better place when Emanuel Steward is involved.