Naazim Richardson and Alton Merkerson Speak

Jerry Glick reporting: With the rematch between 41 year old Roy Jones Jr. and 45 year old Bernard Hopkins that took seventeen years to happen now only two and a half weeks away it was the trainers turn to face the tough questions of the media. Naazim Richardson, who trains Hopkins, and Alton Merkerson, Jones’ trainer, answered questions and gave their insight about where the two future Hall of Fame fighters are at this stage in their careers. They did this during a non-contentious teleconference call on Wednesday.

It was back in 1993 when Jones, 54-6 (40 KOs), outboxed Hopkins, 50-5-1 (32) -1 N/C, to take unanimous decision for the vacant IBF middleweight title.

The show is co-promoted by Square Ring (Jones) and Golden Boy (Hopkins) on April 3rd, at Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Both trainers are very aware of the recent allegations about “juicing” between Mayweather and Pacquiao, as well as the old saw on Mosley that dates back to 1992 and Balco.

Merkerson talked about the Danny Green loss by Jones.

“We have an appeal and we’re trying to get the fight turned around,” began Jones’ long time coach. “Every championship fight, and I’ve worked over a hundred of them, you have to take a urinalysis test after or before the bout. Everybody should be required to have it after the fight because if you get it before the fight you can do anything after you take the urinalysis test.”

He said that there was no test given to either fighter in Australia when Green knocked Jones out in a round and he cannot understand why the IBO didn’t demand it. He even asked the commissioner when there will be a urine test but was told that there would not be one.

Everyone in boxing knows Naazim Richardson’s history. It was he who found loaded gloves on Tito Trinidad before he was to fight Hopkins in 2001, and more recently, it was Richardson who discovered illegal enhancement on Antonio Margarito’s tape as well before a fight with Shane Mosley. Both Hopkins and Mosley won by knockouts in those fights.

“We have to be a watch-hound and make sure that the commissioners do what they are there to do,” said man known as Brother Naazim. “We have all been around each other so much we start taking things for granted.”
Richardson added that it is important for everyone to do their job and keep the sport clean.

FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW