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Naazim Richardson (November 26, 1965 – July 24, 2020) was an American boxing trainer from Philadelphia. Richardson is most notable for training Bernard Hopkins and "Sugar" Shane Mosley, in addition to Steve Cunningham and Karl Dargan.[1][2] He is also known for catching Antonio Margarito with plaster knuckle pads in his hand wraps prior to Margarito's fight with Mosley.[3] This led to Margarito's one-year suspension from boxing.[4]
Richardson was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and left home when he was 14.[5] He was jailed as a teenager.[5] According to The New York Times, "Boxing took Richardson from the streets that almost swallowed him in north Philadelphia, gave him energy and purpose."[5] He was a head trainer in the Concrete Jungle in Philadelphia, and was also a trainer in several gyms across Philadelphia.[6] Richardson worked under Bouie Fisher for a while.[7] His son Rock Allen was a boxer prior to a car accident.[8]
A devout Muslim, Richardson was often acknowledged as "Brother" Naazim.[9] In 2007, Richardson suffered a stroke that temporarily left him unable to walk or speak.[5]
Soon after returning to boxing,[when?] Richardson became "Sugar" Shane Mosley's trainer for three of the biggest fights of the boxer's career: his win over Antonio Margarito and his losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
