- Joe Hewlett
- 15 January 2022
Anthony Joshua close to announcing new trainer ahead of Usyk rematch
Ronnie Shields and Eddy Reynoso are the two front-runners to become Joshua's new trainer...
Ronnie Shields is a former professional boxer who fought in the featherweight division and is currently a boxing trainer.
He is the coach of reigning middleweight world titlist Jermall Charlo and also trains former Pound for Pound star Guillermo Rigondeaux, Erislandy Lara and Brian Vera.
Shields is considered as one of the world's best trainers in the sport and works at the Plex Boxing Gym in Stafford, Texas.
Will Shields train Anthony Joshua?
Eddie Hearn confirmed Anthony Joshua will have a new trainer ahead of his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua surrendered his WBA, IBF and WBO titles to Usyk in an underwhelming performance that saw criticism aimed towards current trainer Rob McCracken.
Since the defeat, Joshua has been in various gyms in America and has worked with Eddy Reynoso - trainer of Canelo Alvarez - and Ronnie Shields.
Hearn said: "I think AJ will make an announcement when camp starts, which I guess will be end of January, early February.
"But he's worked hard to get it right. A lot of people have said, 'do you think it's risky to bring in a new trainer?' I flip that and say, 'do you think it's risky to not be comfortable with your setup or your surroundings?'"
Ronnie Shields and Jermall Charlo
Jermall Charlo is regarded as one of the best fighters in the world and currently owns the WBC middleweight world title. An undefeated two-division world champion, Charlo's aim is to face boxing's biggest star in Canelo Alvarez.
Charlo had been linked to facing David Benavidez with the winner in line to face Canelo but Shields ruled it out.
"Canelo came out there today and said that he wants to fight Caleb Plant and then Jermall Charlo.
"So why would Jermall need to go fight David Benavidez to get Canelo? What sense does that make?
"Why does he need Benavidez when we're already going to get Canelo? You got to stick with what makes sense.
"It's a fight that fans want to see, of course," said Shields about a fight between Jermall and Benavidez. "Fans want to see good boxing, but at the same time, this is a business.
"So if you don't have to go through him [Benavidez] to get to him [Canelo]? Why go through him when we don't have to?"
Former fighters trained
Ronnie Shields worked with Mike Tyson for his 2002 heavyweight clash against Lennox Lewis. Despite starting the fight quickly, Tyson eventually got stopped in round 10.
The clash is the most lucrative heavyweight fight of all-time when it pay-per-view buys with 1.95 million sales in America.
Other fighters he has trained with includes Holyfield, Vernon Forrest, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti and Juan Diaz.
Ronnie Shields amateur career
Shields had a successful amateur career. In 1974 he was the National Junior Olympics Featherweight champion and followed it up with the Featherweight title in 1975.
In 1976 and 1978 Shields won the National Golden Gloves Light welterweight champion.
Shields missed out on competing at the 1976 Olympics, losing out to Sugar Ray Leonard in the trials. He exited the unpaid ranks with a solid record of 242-21.
Ronnie Shields professional career
Shields decided to turn professional in 1980 and challenged for world honours at junior welterweight on two occasions.
He lost to Billy Costello and Tsuyoshi Hamada - both times by decision although Shields' defeat to Hamada was controversial. The American retired in 1988 with a record of 26-6-1 (19 knockouts).
Personal life
Shields has been married to his spouse for over 30 years and together they have three children and three grandchildren.
He has revealed that once a week, schedule permitting, he has a date night with his wife.
Net worth
It is unknown with various reports having different figures from $400k to $1-5m.