Floyd Mayweather in between rounds during his rematch with Marcos Maidana this past September in Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
Don’t expect Naazim Richardson to be too excited about the May 2 Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight.
While the boxing world is thrilled to see the dream matchup finally announced, Richardson feels the time has passed for Mayweather, 38, and Pacquiao, 36, to have laced up.
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Philadelphia’s Danny Garcia, left, landing against Lucas Matthysse this past September in Las Vegas (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
As the days go by, we continue to wait for word on Floyd Mayweather’s next ring opponent.
At the moment there seems to be a very strong chance that Mayweather will end up facing off with British star Amir Khan on May 3 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
And while Khan surely serves as one of the biggest names for Mayweather at the moment, North Philadelphia’s Naazim Richardson has two other prizefighters in mind who could possibly trouble, and maybe even defeat Mayweather.
“Tim [Bradley] and Danny Garcia are capable of beating anybody in boxing,” The Zen-like trainer told me recently when discussing the WBO welterweight titlist and the WBA/WBC junior welterweight champion.
“Tim and Danny Garcia are young versions of a Bernard Hopkins,” Richardson added. “You can never gauge them. You can’t watch film on them. You can’t anticipate with them. Because they are super over-achievers. What Bernard Hopkins was. What Joe Frazier was.”
And while Richardson isn’t bold enough to side with either man against Mayweather, he wouldn’t be stunned if either pulled an upset.
“If Tim Bradley or Danny Garcia were to beat Floyd Mayweather I would not be shocked,” Richardson stated. “Would you bet against Floyd? F*ck no. The only person you’re supposed to bet against Floyd with is Wladimir Klitschko on a good day.”
It’s obvious in speaking with Richardson just how much respect he has towards the Grand Rapids native, however.
“Floyd is one of them fighters now who you aren’t supposed to bet against until you see him lose,” Richardson explained. “He’s that special of a kid. But Tim or Danny getting past him would not shock me at all.”
TO LISTEN TO the full interview with Richardson, where he recounts knowing Garcia and Bradley as amateurs while also pondering a Garcis vs. Bradley matchup, please check below…
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Chris Robinson catches up with North Philadelphia’s Naazim Richardson, as the trainer speaks on his praise towards junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia and WBO welterweight titlist Tim Bradley.
Hit up the thumbnail to hear Richardson ponder a fight between the two men and speak on why he wouldn’t be shocked if either man would pull off an upset over the sport’s pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather
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Chris Robinson catches up with North Philadelphia’s Naazim Richardson, as the trainer speaks on his praise towards junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia and WBO welterweight titlist Tim Bradley.
Hear Richardson ponder a fight between the two men and speak on why he wouldn’t be shocked if either man would pull off an upset over the sport’s pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather
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Manny Pacquiao celebrating in the ring (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
Coming off of a successful outing against Brandon Rios on Nov. 23, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is slated for an April return to the ring in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao’s unanimous decision victory over Rios last month in Macau, China proved that his heart is still very much in the game following his horrific knockout at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez a year ago.
A recent conversation with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed that there are three names in the mix for Pacquiao’s April return; Marquez, Tim Bradley, and Ruslan Provodnikov.
Bradley won a controversial split-decision over Pacquiao in June of last year. Given the backlash that followed his victory, Richardson feels another close fight could spell bad news for the Palm Springs fighter.
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Chris Robinson continues to speak with trainer Naazim Richardson, as he turns his attention to a possible fight between eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and his former sparring partner, Ruslan Provodnikov. Despite Provodnikov looking stellar in stopping Mike Alvarado last month, Richardson feels that the Russian’s style is completely tailor-made for Pacquiao.
Chris Robinson continues to speak with trainer Naazim Richardson, as he turns his attention to a possible fight between eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and his former sparring partner, Ruslan Provodnikov. Despite Provodnikov looking stellar in stopping Mike Alvarado last month, Richardson feels that the Russian’s style is completely tailor-made for Pacquiao.
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Chris Robinson speaks with Naazim Richardson, as the North Philadelphia coach shares his thoughts on the rumored Floyd Mayweather vs. Amir Khan fight that may be on our way come May of next year. Hear what Richardson had to say about the matchup.
Click the thumbnail for all of Naazim’s thoughts…
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Chris Robinson speaks with Naazim Richardson, as the North Philadelphia coach shares his thoughts on the rumored Floyd Mayweather vs. Amir Khan fight that may be on our way come May of next year. Hear what Richardson had to say about
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Adrien Broner and Marcos Maidana scrapping it out in San Antonio (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
In the wake of his upset loss to Marcos Maidana this past weekend, the criticism directed towards three-division world champion Adrien Broner has been hot and heavy.
Broner, one of the more brazen and brash characters you will meet in the sport, seems to be the type of guy that fans either love or hate because of his outlandish, ultra confident personality.
Broner’s fight with Maidana was one of the most compelling of the year and despite being dropped in rounds two and eight and absorbing his share of telling blows throughout the duration of his unanimous decision loss, the Cincinnati native was able to bite down in the face of adversity, showing grit and heart until the final bell rang.
All one has to do is take a quick look at various boxing forums online or scan through the social media landscape to get a sense of the backlash directed towards the former champion.
Speaking with respected trainer Naazim Richardson on Thursday evening, the North Philadelphia coach came to Broner’s defense upon getting a sense of just how much hate has been on display this past week.
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Chris Robinson speaks with trainer Naazim Richardson, as the North Philadelphia coach reacts to seeing former three-division champion Adrien Broner lose his WBA welterweight title after suffering an upset loss to Marcos Maidana this past weekend in San Antonio, Texas. Hear what Richardson had to say about the backlash Broner has received since this loss and what may be in store for his future
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Chris Robinson speaks with trainer Naazim Richardson, as the North Philadelphia coach reacts to seeing former three-division champion Adrien Broner lose his WBA welterweight title after suffering an upset loss to Marcos Maidana this past weekend in San Antonio, Texas. Hear what Richardson had to say about the backlash Broner has received since this loss and what may be in store for his future
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Chris Robinson speaks with Philadelphia-based trainer Naazim Richardson, as he speaks on the possibility of WBA middleweight champin Gennady Golovkin facing off with the likes of super middleweight champ Andre Ward, pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather, and his fighter, the legendary Bernard Hopkins
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Chris Robinson speaks with Philadelphia-based trainer Naazim Richardson, as he speaks on the possibility of WBA middleweight champin Gennady Golovkin facing off with the likes of super middleweight champ Andre Ward, pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather, and his fighter, the legendary Bernard Hopkins
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Chris Robinson catches up with trainer Naazim Richardson, as he speaks on Marcos Maidana’s thrilling battle with Josesito Lopez, discusses a possible Shane Mosley vs. Victor Ortiz match, and reacts to Chad Dawson’s knockout loss to Adonis Stevenson in Canada
Naazim Richardson, far right, working with Demetrius Hopkins ahead of his match with Jermell Charlo later tonight (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
There always seems to be something special about having a conversation with North Philadelphia-based trainer Naazim Richardson.
Regarded as somewhat of an intellectual Zen master by those close to the sport, Richardson is in Carson, California this weekend, as he will be leading underdog Demetrius Hopkins into battle against hot prospect Jermell Charlo as part of a Showtime-televised tripleheader from the Home Depot Center.
Throughout the week, Richardson has been fielding questions from the media about different aspects of the fight game.
Always interested in Naazim’s breakdown of a meaningful, upcoming fight, I asked him for his thoughts on the Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez showdown on September 14 in Las Vegas.
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Chris Robinson catches up with respected trainer Naazim Richardson, as he breaks down the September 14th clash between WBA/WBC junior middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and welterweight king Floyd Mayweather. Here what Richardson had to say…
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