Ronnie Shields

Ronnie Shields (born June 6, 1958 in Port Arthur, Texas) is a former professional boxer in the featherweight division and is currently a boxing trainer.

For the football player, see Ronnie Shields (American football). For the Australian footballer, see Ron Shields.

Amateur career

Shields had a stellar amateur career. In 1974 he was the National Junior Olympics Featherweight champion. In 1975 he was the National Golden Gloves Featherweight champion. In 1976 and 1978 he was the National Golden Gloves Light welterweight champion.

Shields intended to fly on LOT Polish Airlines Flight 7, where several of his teammates would later be killed, but got sick. His trainer said:

That was close. Ronnie was supposed to be on the trip. He was confirmed. The team officials called Monday to give me the itinerary and that's when I had to tell them he was too sick to go."[1]

Both some amateur results and pro results can be found at www.boxrec.com/ under his boxing name Ronnie Shields.

Pro career

Shields turned pro in 1980. After winning 14 out of his first 15 bouts, Shields fought tougher competition and defeated tough journeymen like Pete Podgorski and contender Saoul Mamby. Then, in 1984 Shields challenged Billy Costello for the WBC light welterweight title, but lost a decision. In 1986 he took on Tsuyoshi Hamada in Japan for the WBC light welterweight title, but lost a split decision. He retired in 1988.

Trainer

After his boxing career, Shields has become a prominent trainer in the sport. He works out of the Plex Boxing Gym in Stafford, Texas. Among the fighters he has worked with are:

His current stable includes:

Awards and recognition
  • World Boxing Hall of Fame's Trainer of the Year (2003)

References
  1. Fate spares Clark, Marvis Frazier, by Chuck Slater and Bill Gallo, Daily News from New York, March 15, 1980, p. 385.


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