Boxingtalk spoke with one of boxing's top trainers, Ronnie Shields.  Ronnie was in Biloxi, Mississippi working the corner for heavyweight Adam Richards on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights. Richards beat Rafael Pedro via disqualification.  Shields talks about Richards performance, and also touches on his recent departure from the Juan Diaz camp. Shields also gives us an update on Evander Holyfield's camp in preparation for the heavyweight title fight against Sultan Ibragimov.

BT – Ronnie, there was a little bit of dirty work going on with Adam's opponent tonight, (Rafael Pedro) talk about that.

RS – (Laughs), well it went exactly the way I knew it was going to go.  I had another guy fight this guy, and he did the exact same thing.  I knew what he was going to do, I told Adam to be patient, and don't get frustrated.  Adam grew in this fight, and he won ever round, I thought he was going to knock him out.

BT – So you saw Pedro fight before, and you prepared Adam for this kind of dirty fight?

RS – Absolutely, I worked a corner for Frank Wood one time, and Pedro did the exact same thing, and he was DQ'd in the exact same round (laughs).

BT – What were you pleased with in Adams performance, and what were you not so pleased with?

RS – Well I was pleased when he finally started getting his jab off.  He still rushes in a little bit too much for me, but that comes with the territory, all in all he fought a good fight.

BT – What's your game plan now for Adam?

RS – Another step up for him, another ten-round fight.  His next fight, he will have to get even better.

BT – Evander Holyfield is preparing for his title fight against Sultan Ibragimov, how is his camp going so far?

RS – Well I don't even worry about his opponent right at this minute, I still haven't watched tape on Ibragimov.  I am focused on Evander, and I am focused on getting Evander to do what he is supposed to do right, then in the next week or two, I will start looking at Sultan, and I will develop our game plan.

BT – Any concerns about having to fight over in Russia, especially if it goes to the cards?

RS – No not at all because both camps agree on the ref's and the judges.  We both have to agree.  We have already agreed on all of that, and sometimes you have to go overseas to fight, it's just how it is.

BT – How does it feel to be a part of history?  Holyfield is going for his fifth heavyweight title, nobody has done that.

RS – Well nobody has done it four times, Evander is the only one to do that.  This is what it's all about, making history, and being history.  I have been in boxing a long time, and to be a part of this is going to be great. It's going to be a great night, and we are looking forward to everybody supporting us.

BT – You will no longer train Juan Diaz, any thoughts on that?

RS – This was just a business move, no personal issues.  Evander is fighting the same day Juan is fighting.  I wanted to continue to train Juan, but his manager said that I couldn't train both, because I couldn't be with both of them.  I wanted to continue to work with Juan up until I had to leave to get Evander ready, and let the assistant take over.  Willie said no, and he asked me to make a choice, so I chose Evander.  I really enjoyed working with Juan Diaz, I love the kid and I wish him all of the success in the world.

BT – Any closing thoughts for the fans?

RS – Yes, to the fans just thanks for the support.   Hopefully Evander will bring back the world title.

M

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