Brother Naazim Richardson, Philly Boxing Trainer Extraordinaire and a Friend to All, Dies at 55
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
Philadelphia boxing trainer Naazim Richardson passed away on Friday July 25, 2020, at age 55. Richardson, who had a history of health issues, including a stroke in 2007, died after a long illness. The cause was not disclosed. Richardson became famous as the world champion trainer of Bernard “B-Hop” Hopkins, “USS” Steve Cunningham, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Karl “The Dynamite” Dargan, and other notables at Philadelphia’s Shuler Gym during his lengthy career. A devout Muslim, Richardson put a kind face of integrity on boxing while instilling strong moral and spiritual values in the fighters of all backgrounds with whom he worked.
On occasion at boxing events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania casinos, and rural Pennsylvania boxing locales, this reporter would spend time with Richardson, who attended boxing events as both a trainer and spectator, surveying local talent, and the always evolving boxing scenery. Brother Naazim has strong understanding and opinions in my presence, in particular when it came to his work with Bernard Hopkins. Richardson loved Bernard, yet had strong opinions on training methodology and the dos and don’ts.
Richardson was the Ray Arcel of the current generation. The COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus has made life difficult for all people, and has put a difficult stress on the continuance of boxing training and boxing events in both public and private. It is hard when boxing loses its faces, such as Harold Lederman, referee Eddie Cotton, cut man Nelson Cuevas, and now brother Naazim. The cause of their passing is not relevant. Rather, this reporter celebrates the contributions of all of these individuals to the sport of boxing, their caring for others, and the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood, all brothers to the sport of boxing.
Every loss in the boxing community has deep meaning, and the loss of brother Naazim Richardson is felt. Brother Naazim will be deeply missed. He was more than a friend. Brother Naazim was one of the caring, down to earth people this reporter has ever met. He treated everyone like a brother and close friend, a special personality worth appreciating. Brother Naazim did many interviews with me. He was friendly but real. When it came to talking about boxing, Brother Naazim stated his viewpoints “like it is” pulling no punches about what he thought about the boxers he worked with, and the good, bad, and ugly side of the boxing profession. He was cool, but real, and lived for boxing in the significant years of his life.
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